Selflessness and happiness in everyday life: a study based on empirical sampling methods.

Pellerin, N., Raufaste, E., and Dambrun, M. (2021) Selflessness and happiness in everyday life: a study based on the experience sampling method. Journal of Personal Differences, 42(3), 107-115. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1027/1614-0001/a000335

Commentary

This study uses the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) to investigate the relationship between experienced selflessness and experienced happiness.

Based on the self-centeredness/selflessness happiness model (SSHM)

(a) These two constructs are positively related.

(b) A sense of harmony mediates this relationship.

Using the ESM, participants (N= 63) completed a brief survey five times a day over two days (response rate = 79.2%; 482 observations).

Linear mixed model analysis showed that feelings of selflessness and harmony were important predictors of happiness, and mediation analysis showed that feelings of harmony emerged as an important mediator of the relationship between selflessness and happiness at the experiential level.

All in all, it supports the idea that happiness is not only dependent on the satisfaction of one's own expectations, but that experiencing oneself as an interdependent and relational being also plays an important role.