Contentment and Self-acceptance: Wellbeing Beyond Happiness

Daniel T. Cordaro (), Yang Bai, Christina M. Bradley, Franklyn Zhu, Rachel Han, Dacher Keltner, Arasteh Gatchpazian and Yitong Zhao
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Daniel T. Cordaro: The Contentment Foundation
Yang Bai: Peking University
Christina M. Bradley: The Contentment Foundation
Franklyn Zhu: Yale University
Rachel Han: Yale University
Dacher Keltner: University of California
Arasteh Gatchpazian: University of Toronto
Yitong Zhao: University of Toronto

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2024, vol. 25, issue 1, No 17, 35 pages

Abstract: Abstract Contentment is an emotion felt when the present situation is perceived to be complete as it is. Six studies are presented showing the difference between contentment and other positive emotions, documenting contentment’s unique relationship with self-acceptance, and exploring the positive associations between contentment and wellbeing. First, we demonstrated that contentment is perceived as different from happiness and other positive emotions using an emotion concept mapping methodology (Study 1), a dimensional analysis (Study 2), and a free-response narrative analysis (Study 3). We then demonstrated that both trait (Study 4 and 5) and state levels (Study 6) of contentment are associated with a sense of self-acceptance, and further related to increased wellbeing. We conclude that contentment is a unique positive emotion that is central to wellbeing and life satisfaction, and we discuss important implications for future research.

Keywords: Contentment; Happiness; Wellbeing; Self-acceptance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00729-8

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