Individual, Relational, and Collective Self-Discrepancies and Happiness

Abstract

The present study examined whether self-discrepancies in distinct construal of the ideal or the ought self were associated with happiness and whether discrepancy-happiness relationships were moderated by individualism and collectivism. To address these issues two studies were conducted using different measures. Results showed that higher discrepancies were negatively associated with happiness in a personal, relational, and partly collective levels. Especially, personal dimensions of self-discrepancy were the significant predictors of happiness after partialling out the effects of other discrepancies. These negative relationships between self-discrepancy and happiness were moderated by individualism and collectivism. That is, the more individualistic the peoples cultural value are, the stronger was the negative effect of the actual-ideal self-discrepancy on happiness. On the other hand, the more collectivistic the peoples cultural value are, the stronger was the negative effect of the actual-ought self-discrepancy, rather than actual-ideal self-discrepancy, on happiness. These findings provide integrated understanding for discrepancy-happiness relationships.