The (Un)Happy Moralist? Different Methods of Moral Engagement have Opposing Implications for Wellbeing

Abstract

For centuries, the relationship between morality and well-being has been a focal point of philosophical debate. Recent empirical research has produced mixed results, showing both positive and negative associations between moral engagement and well-being. Our exploratory research examines two forms of moral engagement—moral identity and moral attentiveness—and their potential implications for well-being. In Study 1 (N = 149), we found that a stronger moral identity was generally associated with higher well-being, whereas greater moral attentiveness showed mixed associations, including links to increased rumination and some indicators of poorer well-being. Mediation analyses suggested that moral identity may contribute to well-being through strengthened social connectedness, while moral attentiveness may be associated with reduced well-being through rumination. In Study 2 (N = 118), a 14-day daily-diary study, moral attentiveness was associated with increased rumination at the within-person level, and some indicators of well-being showed small day-to-day fluctuations in relation to moral identity and moral attentiveness. These findings provide preliminary insights into how different forms of moral engagement may relate to well-being, emphasizing the complexity of these relationships and the importance of future research to further explore these dynamics.