Gendered Effects of Confucian Effortful and Taoist Effortless Actions on Well-Being Trajectories: A Longitudinal Analysis

This study examines how Confucian effortful action and Taoist effortless action influence well-being trajectories in Chinese adults, addressing a gap in understanding the nuanced roles of these cultural philosophies in mental health. Given the differential societal expectations and cultural roles assigned to men and women, this study also highlights the importance of examining gender differences in the context of these philosophical influences. Using longitudinal data from the Chinese Family Panel Studies, we tracked 974 adults (mean age = 25.42) across four time points (2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020) to assess changes in happiness, relationship satisfaction, affect balance, and life satisfaction. Results reveal that while happiness, relationship satisfaction, and affect balance (positive versus negative affect) exhibit a general decline over time, life satisfaction trends upward. Importantly, effortful action mitigates the decline in happiness and relationship satisfaction, while effortless action buffers the downward trend of happiness. Gender differences emerge, with these positive effects observed primarily in females. Among males, however, effortful action intensifies the decline in affect balance, whereas effortless action enhances life satisfaction. These findings underscore the distinct influences of Confucianism and Taoism on well-being, varying by gender. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.