Independent self-construal, self-reflection, and self-rumination: A path model for predicting happiness

2008/05/12 by Irina Elliott, Suzanne Coker · 107 citations
Psychology · #Cognition #Construal level theory #Cultural Differences and Values #Developmental psychology #Happiness #Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions #Path analysis (statistics) #Perception #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction #Psychology #Rumination #Self #Self construal #Self-reflection #Social psychology #Subjective well-being

paper · open access · doi:10.1080/00049530701447368

published in Australian Journal of Psychology 60(3), 127-134 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2008/05/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

A construal theory of happiness emphasises the mediating impact of cognitive and motivational processes on the individual's perceptions of their happiness. This study investigated a path model with the two cognitive variables, self-reflection and self-rumination as mediating factors between an independent self-construal and subjective happiness. One hundred and twenty three participants completed a questionnaire designed to measure subjective happiness, independent self-construal, self-reflection, and self-rumination. Individuals' propensity to self-reflect and self-ruminate was not found to be affected by an independent self-construal. A higher independent self-construal was associated with greater happiness. The results also indicated that self-reflection has the potential to both increase and decrease (when mediated by self-rumination) subjective happiness. This study suggests that although meaningful self-reflection may be beneficial for individuals who do not enjoy high levels of happiness, the perils of self-reflection are that it may trigger self-rumination which has detrimental consequences for happiness.

Cited by

• The important role of self in cross-cultural investigations of affective experiences with music
• Test Anxiety in Spanish Adolescents: Examining the Role of Emotional Attention, and Ruminative Self-focus and Regulation. [europepmc]
• Contributions of Cognitive-Motivational Factors to the Sense of Identity. [europepmc]
• Influence of Personality and Differences in Stress Processing Among Finnish Students on Interest to Use a Mobile Stress Management App: Survey Study. [europepmc]
• Aberrant functional metastability and structural connectivity are associated with rumination in individuals with major depressive disorder. [europepmc]
• Parallel Changes in Positive Youth Development and Self-awareness: the Role of Emotional Self-regulation, Self-esteem, and Self-reflection. [europepmc]
• "How to unlock myself from boredom?" The role of mindfulness and a dual awareness- and action-oriented pathway during the COVID-19 lockdown. [europepmc]
• Linking Career Exploration, Self-Reflection, Career Calling, Career Adaptability and Subjective Well-Being: A Self-Regulation Theory Perspective. [europepmc]
• Self-Reflection, Emotional Self Disclosure, and Posttraumatic Growth in Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in South Korea. [europepmc]
• Neural basis underlying the association between thought control ability and happiness: The moderating role of the amygdala. [europepmc]
• The effect of solution-focused group counselling on rumination and life satisfaction. [europepmc]
• Development and Validation of a New Risk-Taking Game: Helsinki Aiming Task (HAT). [europepmc]

Related

• Insight, Rumination, and Self-Reflection as Predictors of Well-Being
• Yes, But Are They Happy? Effects of Trait Self‐Control on Affective Well‐Being and Life Satisfaction
• Be yourself, believe in yourself, and be happy: Self‐efficacy as a mediator between personality factors and subjective well‐being
• Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national index.
• The Predictive Power of Inner Harmony on Well-Being: Testing the Mature Happiness Scale-Revised and the Peace of Mind Scale