Abstract
Adolescents have a strong desire to “be themselves.” How does experiencing authenticity—the sense of being one's true self—influence subjective well-being? What allows adolescents to experience authenticity? This research tests a working model of how authenticity is implicated in adolescents’ well-being. Using survey, diary, and experimental methodologies, four studies (total N = 759, age range = 12–17) supported the main tenets of the model. Authenticity (a) enhances well-being, (b) covaries with satisfaction of psychological needs for relatedness and competence; is caused by satisfaction of the need for autonomy; and (c) mediates the link between need satisfaction and well-being. Authenticity is more than a powerful motive: It has robust, replicable effects on well-being and may thus be a pervasive force in positive youth development.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1045-1056 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Child Development |
Volume | 88 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jul 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2017 The Authors. Child Development © 2017 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Education
- Developmental and Educational Psychology