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Genes, Environments and Core Features of Eudaimonic Wellbeing

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Handbook of Eudaimonic Well-Being

Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life ((IHQL))

Abstract

Human wellbeing is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. During the last two decades, an increasing number of genetically informative studies have documented substantial genetic influences for various types of wellbeing. Recent meta-analyses estimate the weighted average heritability of wellbeing to be in the range of 32–40 %. Importantly, these meta-studies also provide strong evidence of the causal role of environmental factors. Most twin- and family-studies of wellbeing have focused on subjective wellbeing in general and life satisfaction in particular and until recently few have examined the role of genetic factors in eudaimonic wellbeing. In addition to estimating the magnitude of the genetic and environmental effects, researchers have lately examined the extent to which different wellbeing phenomena share the same underlying genetic and environmental factors. The main aim of this chapter is to review some of these recent findings and to discuss implications for theory, practice and future research – including the potential of gene-environment matchmaking (i.e., positive interplay between environments and genes) for wellbeing interventions. Additionally, we address the current state of construct affairs. The field of eudaimonic wellbeing is in need of conceptual clarification, demarcation of borders and more stringent use of constructs. We question the notion of hedonia versus eudaimonia as the Big Two of wellbeing, and propose a model in which well-moving represents a core aspect of eudaimonic wellbeing.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Midlife Development in the United States.

  2. 2.

    Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Espen Røysamb & Ragnhild Bang Nes

  2. Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway

    Espen Røysamb & Ragnhild Bang Nes

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  1. Espen Røysamb
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  2. Ragnhild Bang Nes
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Correspondence to Espen Røysamb .

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  1. UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    Joar Vittersø

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Røysamb, E., Nes, R.B. (2016). Genes, Environments and Core Features of Eudaimonic Wellbeing. In: Vittersø, J. (eds) Handbook of Eudaimonic Well-Being. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42445-3_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42445-3_16

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