Investigation of the relation between cultural estrangement and hedonic and eudaimonic aspects of well-being in Iranian young adults

Abstract

This study sought to examine the relation between cultural estrangement and aspects of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in a sample of 208 Iranian university students. Scales of life satisfaction and affect balance were used to assess hedonic well-being, and scales of psychological and social well-being were used to assess eudaimonic well-being. Results of correlation analysis revealed that cultural estrangement was negatively and significantly correlated with hedonic and social well-being. Results of the regression analysis indicated that aspects of cultural estrangement accounted for significant but limited variance in hedonic and social well-being after controlling for gender. Findings were consistent with the model holding that the fit between person’s values and those emphasized within his or her environment is crucial to individuals’ well-being. Implications of the results are discussed with reference to the prior assumptions about the relation between values and well-being.