Slack-Smith, Jasmin L. (2012) Understanding Well-Being to Enhance Flourishing: Incorporating Hedonic and Eudaimonic Perspectives to Develop Optimal Clinical Interventions. Doctorate (other than PhD) thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
As the literature gains momentum toward the pursuit of positive psychological perspectives, a similar growth of interest in what determines one’s well-being has emerged as the focus shifts from a deficit model to that of optimal health and psychological flourishing. Within this domain of research, two perspectives or traditions of thought generate distinct foci and conceptions of well-being and despite the differences between these Hedonic and Eudaimonic perspectives, both have been substantiated within their respective bodies of literature. Although there has been a greater emphasis in recent times on the hedonic approach, which emphasises the dual goals of alleviating distress and increasing happiness, the Eudaimonic perspective dates back to Aristotle and humanistic perspectives and challenges the value of happiness in determining ones psychological wellness (Ryan & Deci, 2001). The eudaimonic psychologists make the distinction between transitory pleasure and meaning, purpose, engagement, and authenticity, with the latter variables contributing to a sense of personal growth and psychological wellness. This dissertation reviews the literature concerning both conceptual perspectives of well-being, examines variables of interest, investigates the extent to which they are distinct from one another, and considers the emerging concept of flourishing. Contributing to this topical body of literature, two studies are then reported, evaluating predictors of both hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, and their relationship to one another. Finally, both the theoretical and clinical implications of the results are discussed, with specific consideration of psychological interventions within the theoretical framework of psychology, aiming to enhance one’s ability to thrive, rather than simply survive. Reflecting the anxiety provoking academic environment, these clinical implications and proposed foci of treatment are also discussed with regard to undergraduate University students, providing results and discussion tailored to this population.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Doctorate (other than PhD)) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Tony Machin |
| Qualification: | Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Oct 2025 23:16 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Oct 2025 23:16 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Hedonic well-being ; Eudaimonic well-being ; concept of flourishing ; anxiety and undergraduate university students |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52762 |
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