Abstract
Moral behaviour has long been associated with well-being, but variables that may contribute to this association have been left unexplored. In this study the reconciliation model of moral centrality was used as a framework to investigate the relationship between morality and psychological health. According to this model, the inherent conflict between self-interest and morality can be transformed into a synergistic force through the development of moral centrality. Consequently, the integration of self-interest and morality is expected to positively influence psychological well-being. The present study examined eudaimonic well-being as a potential mediating variable in the link between moral centrality and mental health. Participants (N = 119) completed an online questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions and measures of depression, anxiety, self-esteem, eudaimonic well-being, and altruism. Moral centrality was defined as the integration of both agentic and communal values in their responses to open-ended questions. Moral centrality was associated with lower depression and anxiety, and with higher self-esteem, and these associations were mediated by eudaimonic well-being. Altruism was not associated with any of the measures of mental health. An exploratory analysis revealed that the specific integration of the agentic value achievement and the communal value benevolence may be the underlying factor explaining this relationship. These findings suggest that moral centrality may play a unique and meaningful role in promoting eudaimonic well-being and mental health. The results highlight the potential for fostering moral centrality to enhance mental health and well-being in clinical interventions.
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A special thank you to Hannah Lauzon for her efforts in coding the data for this research.
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Hoyda, J.J., Jarry, J.L. Moral centrality is associated with better mental health through eudaimonic well-being. Curr Psychol 43, 9130–9140 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05080-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05080-4