Is Feeling Good, Enough? Impact of Hedonic and Eudamonic Happiness on Dyadic Satisfaction

Abstract

Happiness and positive state of mind are often considered a prerequisite for individuals looking at establishing good relationships. Hedonia, which is pursuit of pleasure and enjoyment while avoiding pain, and eudaimonia which is living well encompassing a meaningful and moral, life are important components of this happiness. A balance between these two dimensions of individual happiness is what an ‘instagram-able’ perfect life looks like. Pictures of couples travelling, celebrating, going for retreats etc., on social media are naturally suggestive of their couple and family happiness to the people viewing them. But does this perceived state of eudaimonia and hedonia actually percolate to dyadic satisfaction for a couple is what this research paper investigates. This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey research design using convenience sampling. Data from 75 couples (N=150) were collected through two standardized self-report questionnaires viz Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities (HEMA) by Huta which measures hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing and Dyadic Adjustment Scale by Spanier which measures dyadic satisfaction of married couples. Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) and couple level linear regressions were employed to assess dyadic interdependence and actor – partner associations. The findings suggest that these two dimensions of individual happiness—whether hedonic, eudaimonic, or total—does not directly translate into dyadic satisfaction. No significant actor – partner effects were identified, indicating that there is more to dyadic satisfaction than individual wellbeing alone. Results indicated that neither individual hedonia nor eudaimonia demonstrated significant actor or partner effects on dyadic satisfaction. Sum of eudaimonia and hedonia at couple level resulted in a weak, non-significant association with dyadic satisfaction. Notably, differences in partners’ internal balance between hedonia and eudaimonia emerged as a marginally significant predictor, and this suggests that complementarity rather than similarity in overall hedonic and orientations may be more relevant for relationship outcomes. These findings challenge the assumption that an individual’s happiness (in this case hedonic and eudaimonic) automatically percolates to dyadic satisfaction. The study is expected to contribute to dyadic well-being literature by highlighting the limited power of individualistic eudaimonic or hedonic happiness shaping dyadic satisfaction, particularly within the Indian cultural context.