Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Know Thyself and Become What You are: A Eudaimonic Approach to Psychological Well-Being

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Exploration of Happiness

Part of the book series: Happiness Studies Book Series ((HAPS))

Abstract

In an effort to strengthen conceptual foundations of eudaimonic well-being, key messages from Aristotle’s Nichomacean Ethics are revisited. Also examined are ideas about positive human functioning from existential and utilitarian philosophy as well as clinical, developmental, and humanistic psychology. How these perspectives were integrated to create a multidimensional model of psychological well-being (Ryff 1989a) is described, and empirical evidence supporting the factorial validity of the model is briefly noted. Life course and socioeconomic correlates of well-being are examined to underscore the point that opportunities for eudaimonic well-being are not equally distributed. Biological correlates (cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, immune) of psychological well-being are also briefly noted as they suggest possible health benefits associated with living a life rich in purpose and meaning, continued growth, and quality ties to others. We conclude with future challenges in carrying the eudaimonic vision forward.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    We are grateful to Alan Waterman for pointing out this distinction.

References

  • Adler NE, Marmot MG, McEwen BS, Stewart J (1999) Socioeconomic status and health in industrialized nations: social, psychological, and biological pathways, vol 896. New York Academy of Sciences, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Allport GW (1961) Pattern and growth in personality. Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews FM, Withey SB (1976) Social indicators of well-being: America’s perception of life quality. Plenum Press, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Aristotle (1925) The nicomachean ethics (trans: Ross D). Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker LC (1992) Good lives: prolegomena. Soc Philos Policy 9:15–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradburn NM (1969) The Structure of psychological well-being. Aldin, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant FB, Veroff J (1982) The structure of psychological well-being: a sociohistorical analysis. J Pers Soc Psychol 43:653–673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bühler C (1935) The curve of life as studied in biographies. J Appl Psychol 43:653–673

    Google Scholar 

  • Bühler C, Massarik F (eds) (1968) The course of human life. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr DS (1997) The fulfillment of career dreams at midlife: does it matter for women’s mental health? J Health Soc Behav 38:331–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng S-T, Chang ACM (2005) Measuring psychological well-being in the Chinese. Pers Individ Differ 38(6):1307–1316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke PJ, Marshall VW, Ryff CD, Wheaton B (2001) Measuring psychological well-being in the Canadian study of health and aging. Int Psychogeriatr 13(Suppl 1):79–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener E (1984) Subjective well-being. Psychol Bull 95:542–575

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener E, Suh EM (2000) Measuring subjective well-being to compare the quality of life of cultures. In: Diener E, Suh M (eds) Culture and subjective well-being. The MIT Press, Cambridge, pp 3–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowd JJ (1990) Ever since Durkheim: the socialization of human development. Hum Dev 33:138–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erikson EH (1959) Identity and the life cycle: selected papers. Psychol Issues 1:1–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankl VE, Lasch I (1992) Man’s search for meaning: an introduction to logotherapy. Beacon Press, Boston (Original published 1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman EM, Hayney M, Love GD, Urry H, Rosenkranz MA, Davidson RJ, Singer BH, Ryff CD (2005) Plasma interluekin-6 in aging women: links to positive social relationships and sleep quality. Proc Natl Acad sci 102:18757–18762

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenfield EA, Marks N (2004) Formal volunteering as a protective factor for older adults’ psychological well-being. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 59B(5):S258–S264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross JJ, John OP (2003) Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: implications for affect, relationships, and well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol 85(2):348–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heidrich SM, Ryff CD (1993) The role of social comparison processes in the psychological adaptation of elderly adults. J Gerontol Psychol Sci 48:P127–P136

    Google Scholar 

  • Helson R, Srivastava S (2001) Three paths of adult development: conservers, seekers, and achievers. J Pers Soc Psychol 80(6):995–1010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hemenover SH (2003) The good, the bad, and the healthy: impacts of emotional disclosure of trauma on resilient self-concept and psychological distress. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 29(10):1236–1244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahoda M (1958) Current concepts of positive mental health. Basic Books, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston I (1997) Lecture on Aristotle’s nicomachaean ethics [electronic version], from http://www.mala.bc.ca/~johnstoi/

  • Jung CG (1933) Modern man in search of a soul (trans: Dell WS, Baynes CF). Harcourt, Brace & World, New York)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirby SE, Coleman PG, Daley D (2004) Spirituality and well-being in frail and nonfrail older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 59B(3):P123–P129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitayama S, Markus HR (2000) The pursuit of happiness and the realization of sympathy: cultural patterns of self, social relations, and well-being. In: Diener E, Suh EM (eds) Culture and subjective well-being. The MIT Press, Cambridge, pp 113–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Kling KC, Ryff CD, Essex MJ (1997a) Adaptive changes in the self-concept during a life transition. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 23(9):981–990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kling KC, Seltzer MM, Ryff CD (1997b) Distinctive late-life challenges: implications for coping and well-being. Psychol Aging 12(2):288–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwan CML, Love GD, Ryff CD, Essex MJ (2003) The role of self-enhancing evaluations in a successful life transition. Psychol Aging 18(1):3–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes PN, Salovey P, Straus R (2003) Emotional intelligence, personality, and the perceived quality of social relationships. Pers Individ Differ 35:641–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maier EH, Lachman ME (2000) Consequences of early parental loss and separation for health and well-being in midlife. Int J Behav Dev 24(2):183–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marks NF (1998) Does it hurt to care? caregiving, work-family conflict, and midlife well-being. J Marriage Fam 60(4):951–966

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marks NF, Lambert JD (1998) Marital status continuity and change among young and midlife adults: longitudinal effects on psychological well-being. J Fam Issues 19:652–686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus HR, Ryff CD, Curhan KB, Palmersheim KA (2004) In their own words: well-being at midlife among high school-educated and college-educated adults. In: Brim OG, Ryff CD, Kessler RC (eds) How healthy are we?: a national study of well-being at midlife. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 273–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Marmot M, Ryff CD, Bumpass LL, Shipley M, Marks NF (1997) Social inequalities in health: next questions and converging evidence. Soc Sci Med 44(6):901–910

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marmot MG, Fuhrer R, Ettner SL, Marks NF, Bumpass LL, Ryff CD (1998) Contribution of psychosocial factors to socioeconomic differences in health. Milbank Q 76(3):403–448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maslow AH (1968) Toward a psychology of being, 2nd edn. Van Nostrand, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mill JS (1989) Autobiography. Penguin, London (Original work published 1893)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neugarten BL (1968) The awareness of middle age. In: Neugarten BL (ed) Middle age and aging. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 93–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Neugarten BL (1973) Personality change in late life: a developmental perspective. In: Eisodorfer C, Lawton MP (eds) The pychology of adult development and aging. American Psychological Association, Washington, pp 311–335

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Norton DL (1976) Personal destinies: a philosophy of ethical individualism. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Riediger M, Freund AM (2004) Interference and facilitation among personal goals: differential associations with subjective well-being and persistent goal pursuit. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 30(12):1511–1523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riley MW, Kahn RL, Foner A (1994) Age and structural lag. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers CR (1962) The interpersonal relationship: the core of guidance. Harvard Educ Rev 32(4):416–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell B (1958) The conquest of happiness. Liveright, New York (Original work published 1930)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan RM, Deci EL (2001) On happiness and human potentials: a review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annu Rev Psychol 52:141–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD (1982) Successful aging: a developmental approach. Gerontologist 22:209–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD (1985) Adult personality development and the motivation for personal growth. In: Kleiber D, Maehr M (eds) Advances in motivation and achievement, vol 4., Motivation and AdulthoodJAI Press, Greenwich, pp 55–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD (1989a) Happiness is everything, or is it? explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol 57(6):1069–1081

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD (1989b) Beyond ponce de leon and life satisfaction: new directions in quest of successful aging. Int J Behav Dev 12:35–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD (1991) Possible selves in adulthood and old age: a tale of shifting horizons. Psychol Aging 6(2):286–295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD, Keyes CLM (1995) The structure of psychological well-being revisited. J Pers Soc Psychol 69(4):719–727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD, Singer BH (1998) The contours of positive human health. Psychol Inq 9(1):1–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD, Singer BH (2006) Best news yet for the six-factor model of well-being, Soc Sci Res 35:1103–1119

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD, Keyes CLM, Hughes DL (2003) Status inequalities, perceived discrimination, and eudaimonic well-being: dDo the challenges of minority life hone purpose and growth? J Health Soc Behav 44(3):275–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD, Singer BH, Love GD (2004a) Positive health: connecting well-being with biology. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B 359:1383–1394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff CD, Singer BH, Palmersheim KA (2004b) Social inequalities in health and well-being: the role of relational and religious protective factors. In: Brim OG, Ryff CD, Kessler RC (eds) How healthy are we?: a national study of well-being at midlife. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 90–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Sartre JP (1956) Being and nothingness. Philosophical Library, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmutte PS, Ryff CD (1997) Personality and well-being: reexamining methods and meanings. J Pers Soc Psychol 73(3):549–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon KM (2005) Positive value change during college: normative trends and individual differences. J Res Pers 39(2):209–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singer BH, Ryff CD (1997) Racial and ethnic equalities in health: environmental, psychosocial, and physiological pathways. In: Devlin B, Feinberg SE, Resnick D, Roeder K (eds) Intelligence, genes, and success: scientists respond to the bell curve. Springer, New York, pp 89–122

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Singer BH, Ryff CD (1999) Hierarchies of life histories and associated health risks. In: Adler NE, Marmot M (eds) Socioeconomic status and health in industrial nations, vol 896., Social, psychological, and biological pathwaysNew York Academy of Sciences, New York, pp 96–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer BH, Ryff CD (2001) New horizons in health: an integrative approach. National Academy Press, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer BH, Ryff CD, Carr D, Magee WJ (1998) Life histories and mental health: a person-centered strategy. In: Raftery A (ed) Sociological methodology. American Sociological Association, Washington, pp 1–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Smider NA, Essex MJ, Ryff CD (1996) Adaptation to community relocation: the interactive influence of psychological resources and contextual factors. Psychol Aging 11(2):362–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Springer KW, Hauser RM (2006) An assessment of the construct validity of Ryff’s scales of psychological well-being: method, mode, and measurement effects. Soc Sci Res 35:1080–1102

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SE, Lerner JS, Sherman DK, Sage RM, McDowell NK (2003a) Are self-enhancing cognitions associated with healthy or unhealthy biological profiles? J Pers Soc Psychol 85:605–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SE, Lerner JS, Sherman DK, Sage RM, McDowell NK (2003b) Portrait of the self-enhancer: well adjusted and well liked or maladjusted and friendless? J Pers Soc Psychol 84(1):165–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tweed S, Ryff CD (1991) Adult children of alcoholics: profiles of wellness and distress. J Stud Alcohol 52:133–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Urry HL, Nitschke JB, Dolski I, Jackson DC, Dalton KM, Mueller CJ et al (2004) Making a life worth living: neural correlates of well-being. Psychol Sci 15(6):367–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Dierendonck D (2004) The construct validity of Ryff’s scales of psychological well-being and its extension with spiritual well-being. Pers Individ Differ 36(3):629–643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waterman AS (1984) The psychology of individualism. Praeger, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiggins JS (1980) Personality and prediction: principles of personality assessment. Addison-Wesley, Menlo Park

    Google Scholar 

  • Wink P, Dillon M (2003) Religiousness, spirituality, and psychosocial functioning in late adulthood: findings from a longitudinal study. Psychol Aging 18(4):916–924

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (P50-MH61083), and the National Institute on Aging (P01-AG020166). We are grateful to Emily Greenfield and Alan Waterman for their insightful comments and suggestions on an earlier version of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute on Aging and Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, MI, USA

    Carol D. Ryff

  2. Office of Population Research/Institute on Aging, Princeton University/University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA

    Burton H. Singer

Authors
  1. Carol D. Ryff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Burton H. Singer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carol D. Ryff .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Pathophysiology, and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi 74, Milan, 20157, Italy

    Antonella Delle Fave

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ryff, C.D., Singer, B.H. (2013). Know Thyself and Become What You are: A Eudaimonic Approach to Psychological Well-Being. In: Delle Fave, A. (eds) The Exploration of Happiness. Happiness Studies Book Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5702-8_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation