The role of authenticity in healthy psychological functioning and subjective well-being

Abstract

A variety of conceptualizations of authenticity exist ranging from emphasizing actualization of "being needs" (A. H. Maslow, 1968) to engaging in self-determined behavior consistent with intrinsic organismic needs (E. L. Deci and R. M. Ryan, 2000). These conceptualizations are complemented by some empirical data indicating that authenticity is linked to greater psychological functioning and subjective well-being (K. M. Sheldon and T. Kasser, 1995). In this paper, the authors offer a new multicomponent conceptualization of authenticity and report initial findings obtained with their measure (Authenticity Inventory, 2001) and indices of well-being. Participants were 79 introductory psychology students (aged 18-22 yrs). The authors found that higher total scores on the Authenticity Inventory (AI) were positively related to reported self-esteem level and life satisfaction and negatively related to contingent self-esteem and negative affect. Specific correlations involving the subscale are also reported. The overall pattern of findings suggests that the AI and its subscales have important implications for various aspects of psychological functioning and well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)

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