Experiencing flow in social activities and its relationship with satisfaction with life and psychological wellbeing, in the sample of young adults

Abstract

Theoretical background: Flow can contribute to well-being, because as an activity theory, it is related to the positive consequences, and contributions to development of the behavior. Aim: Flow in a social interaction and its relationship with the different well-being concepts has not been studied yet, however the contributing role of social relationships to well-being has been emphasized a lot. This study aims to reveal this relationship. We investigate the effect of the frequency and intensity of flow in social activities, and flow synchronization. Methods: 1060 adult people took part in the online cross-sectional survey study- A ge: M(SD) = 26.67(10.76) years. They filled in the questionnaires anonymously: General Flow Description, General Flow Description in Social Interactions, Flow State Questionnaire, Flow Synchronization Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Scales of Psychological Well-being. Results: According to the hierarchical regression analysis, the frequency (β = 0.07, p = 0.038) and intensity (β = 0.08, p = 0.039) of flow in a social activity can predict satisfaction with life, while the frequency of flow in solitary situations (β = 0.10, p = 0.002) and flow synchronization (interactional aspects during a cooperative flow-inducing activity) (β = 0.15, p < 0.001) may contribute to psychological well-being Consequences: The social aspects of flow can contribute to well-being, the frequency, intensity and synchronization factors can help elaborating the person's mental health.