Interventions to enhance eudaemonic psychological well-being: A meta-analytic review with Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-being

Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2023 May;15(2):594-610. doi: 10.1111/aphw.12398. Epub 2022 Sep 8.

Abstract

This meta-analysis enhances our insight into the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving eudaemonic well-being. The focal outcome of these interventions is Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-being. We summarized experimental studies and concluded whether a specific intervention approach improves individual positive functioning by assessing the six dimensions of psychological well-being and the composite score of well-being. Our study confirmed that eudaemonic well-being can be improved. The strongest influence is seen in integral programs that link directly to Ryff's conceptual model. Breaking down to dimensional scores, existing interventions had the strongest influence on Environmental Mastery, Personal Growth, and Self-Acceptance. The weakest influence was on Autonomy and Positive Relations with Others. Overall, our result is an important contribution to the well-being literature in that it shows, more convincing than previous meta-analyses due to its exclusive and comprehensive focus on Ryff's model, that psychological eudaemonic well-being can be enhanced by targeted intervention programs.

Keywords: eudaemonia; intervention; positive psychology; psychological well-being.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Behavior Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Psychological Well-Being*