Be yourself to feel good: The influence of trait authenticity on subjective well-being

Abstract

Authenticity is a significant element of well-being. The current research aimed to examine whether components of subjective well-being are predicted by the subdimensions of trait authenticity. Another objective of the study was to test whether well-being affects authentic living. Psychologically validated self-report questionnaires were employed in an online survey form to measure trait authenticity and three subcomponents of well-being namely, self-esteem, positive affect and subjective vitality. The present quantitative research applied cross-sectional and correlational design to test the predictive role and the relationship between the variables. The population of the study (N=120) are partially students and were recruited by non-probability, convenience and snowballing sampling. Received data does not fully support the predictive role of trait authenticity on subjective well-being. However, self-alienation, a subdimension of authenticity, seems to negatively predict self-esteem and vitality. The study opened a conversation on the definitional and compositional issues of authenticity and well-being.