| Research has shown that enhancing well-being is thwarted by multiple constraints and that more evidence exists for personal continuity than for change. The nature of these constraints suggests that individuals have limited control over their well-being. This dissertation presents two new individual difference constructs, growth orientation and action orientation, which may be associated with individuals' ability to enhance their well-being. Being oriented towards growth is defined as valuing self-improvement, exploration, and learning, as opposed to desiring consistency, predictability, and familiarity. Being oriented toward action is defined as being proactive and striving toward goals, as opposed to being passive and waiting for opportunities to present themselves. A model is proposed wherein growth and action orientations lead to differential participation in activities and ultimately have consequences for well-being. Participants were 388 employees of a large hospital in the United States. A survey assessed growth and action orientations, the meaningfulness and manageability of individuals' personal projects in their work and non-work lives (Little, 1989), and several measures of well-being including life satisfaction, autonomy, environmental mastery, and positive relationships with others (Pavot & Diener, 1993; Ryff, 1989). Measures of growth and action orientations demonstrated sound psychometric properties as separate constructs. Growth and action orientations were significantly associated with well-being and with engaging in meaningful projects. With respect to the manageability of projects, growth orientation was more highly associated with projects being well-structured, whereas action orientation was more highly associated with projects making progress. In general, the associations among orientations, personal projects, and well-being did not differ with job, sex, and age. Where moderating effects were found, they suggested that professionals, males, and younger people benefit most from being growth- and action-oriented and pursuing meaningful and manageable projects. The data supported the idea that individuals do have some control over their well-being through the approaches they take to life and the activities in which they engage. If individuals have some power to regulate their well-being via their choices, then the potential for people to become happier, more self-actualized individuals exists. |
