Not all positive emotions are equivalent: A trait and state analysis of the differential effects of gratitude, compassion, pride, moral elevation, and admiration on eudaimonic wellbeing Elizabeth Barrett-Cheetham Faculty of Science School of Psychology November, 2017 Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Psychology (Organisational) Supervisor: Lisa A Williams PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES THESIS/DISSERTATION SHEET Surname or Family name: Barrett-Cheetham First name: Elizabeth Other name/s: Harriet Rose Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: School: Psychology Faculty:Science Title: Not all positive emotions are equivalent: A trait and state analysis of the differential effects of gratitude, compassion, pride, moral elevation, and admiration on eudaimonic wellbeing Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE) A rich history of research in psychology has highlighted the role that positive emotions play in promoting eudaimonic wellbeing (EWB), yet past studies often fail to differentiate between discrete positive emotions. As such, potential functional differences among positive emotions in contributing to EWB may have been overlooked. The research presented herein tests a novel model predicting relationships between five discrete positive emotions (gratitude, compassion, pride, moral elevation, and admiration) and other- and self-focused subtypes of EWB. These links are posited to be explained through each emotion’s effects on communion and agency motivations. Specifically, gratitude, compassion, and moral elevation were expected to primarily impact other-focused EWB due to their influence on communion motivation, whereas pride was predicted to primarily relate to self-focused EWB because of its influence on agency motivation. Admiration was expected to affect other- and self-focused EWB equivalently due to its influence on both communion and agency motivations, respectively. This theoretical model was tested using structural equation modelling across a series of eight studies that adopted a range of sampling techniques (university participants, community samples), methodological designs (cross-sectional, experimental), emotion induction techniques (interpersonal, vignette) and measurement techniques (self-report, behavioural, and trait- and state-level of assessment). The following conclusions were drawn from the results of a meta-analytic multiple group analysis: Individuals who are dispositionally inclined to experience gratitude, compassion, and pride also experience elevated other-focused EWB. Results also supported the hypothesis that the link between trait compassion and other-focused EWB is primarily explained via communion motivation and that dispositional pride indirectly links to self-focused EWB via agency motivation. Additionally, although a relatively weaker link and against expectations, dispositional admiration can be detrimental to individuals’ self-focused EWB. This research is pivotal in its simultaneous consideration of how positive emotions of the same valence might differentially impact EWB. Advancing both theory and methodology, these findings highlight the potential utility of adopting approaches that differentiate among positive emotions in applied and theoretical work in the field of positive psychology. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). 25/02/17 …………………………………………………………… ……………………………………..……………… ……….……………… Signature Witness Signature Date The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: ii Originality Statement ‘I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.’ iii COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 'I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Date ... 10/0\ I.\R ............................................... AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT 'I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital fonnat.' Date J0/01/.\ ..8. .... ............................................. Acknowledgments I would not have been able to complete this research without the support of UNSW and, in particular, my supervisor, Lisa Williams. I am extraordinarily grateful for the intellectual, financial and practical support they have given me throughout. Lisa has not only provided me with scholarly advice along the way, but also supported me emotionally. I couldn’t have asked for a better supervisor. This research has been a collegiate effort which has also involved the willing participation in my wellbeing studies from UNSW psychology students and both Australian and US community members. Thank you also to my statistical advisor, Tim Bednall. Beyond UNSW many friends, colleagues, and family members have given freely of their time to advise, cajole, motivate, inspire, empathise, feed, and house me. They too, are part of the greater collective undertaking and I could not have fulfilled the thesis requirements without their help. Thank you Joel for reading the whole story; thank you Bec for bearing the brunt of my occasional frustrations. Thanks too to Brent, Craig, and Hilary at Macquarie Bank for patiently accommodating my part time employment while I juggled my PhD and career commitments. My indebtedness to my family is immense: to my in-laws, Rob and Karen, who have gone beyond the call of duty in continuing to sustain an extra family member; to Aunty Barb and my safe house in Sydney; to Brian, my dad, for proof-reading my thesis several times and for his gentle chiding (are you there yet?); and to Val, my mum, for her consistently authoritative parenting style. Most of all to my partner Tom, for his loving patience and total acceptance of all my annoyingness, thank you heaps. I love you. iv Publications and Presentations during Candidature Barrett-Cheetham, E., Williams, L. A., & Bednall, T. C. (2016). A differentiated approach to the link between positive emotion, motivation, and eudaimonic wellbeing. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(6), 595–608. http://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1152502 Barrett-Cheetham, E., Williams, L. A., & Bednall, T. C. (2015). A differentiated approach to the link between positive emotion and wellbeing. Poster session presented at the Society of Affective Science 2nd Annual Conference, Oakland, CA. v Abstract A rich history of research in psychology has highlighted the role that positive emotions play in promoting eudaimonic wellbeing (EWB), yet past studies often fail to differentiate between discrete positive emotions. As such, potential functional differences among positive emotions in contributing to EWB may have been overlooked. The research presented herein tests a novel model predicting relationships between five discrete positive emotions (gratitude, compassion, pride, moral elevation, and admiration) and other- and self- focused subtypes of EWB. These links are posited