The challenge of staying happier: testing the Hedonic Adaptation Prevention model

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
Kennon M Sheldon, Sonja Lyubomirsky

Abstract

The happiness that comes from a particular success or change in fortune abates with time. The Hedonic Adaptation Prevention (HAP) model specifies two routes by which the well-being gains derived from a positive life change are eroded--the first involving bottom-up processes (i.e., declining positive emotions generated by the positive change) and the second involving top-down processes (i.e., increased aspirations for even more positivity). The model also specifies two moderators that can forestall these processes--continued appreciation of the original life change and continued variety in change-related experiences. The authors formally tested the predictions of the HAP model in a 3-month three-wave longitudinal study of 481 students. Temporal path analyses and moderated regression analyses provided good support for the model. Implications for the stability of well-being, the feasibility of "the pursuit of happiness," and the appeal of overconsumption are discussed.

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Citations

Apr 25, 2014·PloS One·Fanny WeytensMoïra Mikolajczak
Nov 8, 2015·Journal of Behavioral Medicine·Benjamin D SylvesterMark R Beauchamp
Jul 22, 2014·Journal of Personality·Michael A Busseri
Aug 21, 2013·Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology·Julijana ChochovskiDenise P Charman
Mar 29, 2014·Psychology & Health·Benjamin D SylvesterMark R Beauchamp
Jun 7, 2015·Psychological Science·Julia K BoehmLaura D Kubzansky
Feb 26, 2015·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Kennon M SheldonAaron Jarden
Jun 19, 2018·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Ed O'Brien, Robert W Smith
Mar 15, 2019·European Journal of Oral Sciences·Claire E Ashton-James, Axel Chemke-Dreyfus
Jun 25, 2020·Psychological Science·Kostadin KushlevEd Diener
Aug 31, 2017·Annual Review of Psychology·Jeff Galak, Joseph P Redden

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