A cross-cultural investigation of the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations on subjective well-being and subjective vitality

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the predicting effect of an individual‘s type of aspirations on positive and negative affect as well as subjective vitality in a convenience sample of Hong Kong and Canadian individuals. Few studies to date have investigated the effects that one‘s aspirations have on both subjective well-being and subjective vitality, and no prior research in this area has been conducted in the Hong Kong context. Cross-cultural differences in types of aspirations and their effects on well-being and subjective vitality were examined. Methods: 150 Hong Kong Chinese and 150 Canadian participants were recruited for the study. Participants filled out a questionnaire consisting of items from the Aspirations Index, International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form, and Subjective Vitality Scale. Results: Canadians had higher mean levels of intrinsic aspirations and Hong Kong Chinese participants had higher mean levels of extrinsic aspirations. The effects that intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations had on an individual‘s well-being and subjective vitality were also found to differ between cultures. Conclusion: Possible explanations for the results were discussed, and the findings may have been due in part to the different emphasis the respective cultures place on certain values. Suggestions for future studies and implications were also outlined.