The Structure of Emerging Adults’ Well-being: A Psychological Network Approach of Hedonic and Eudaimonic Dimensions
Hernández-Torrano D. Tursunbayeva X.
February 2026Springer Science and Business Media B.V.
Journal of Happiness Studies
2026#27Issue 2
The long-standing dichotomy between hedonic and eudaimonic traditions in well-being research has been increasingly challenged, with scholars arguing that these dimensions are not mutually exclusive but deeply interrelated. This debate is particularly relevant for emerging adults, a developmental stage characterized by significant life transitions and identity formation. This study applies a psychological network approach to examine the multidimensional structure and interplay of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being among 1,549 emerging adults in Kazakhstan. Exploratory graphical analyses revealed a well-being network composed of five distinct but interrelated dimensions (i.e., positive mental health, life satisfaction, meaning in life, positive affect, and negative affect), with cross-community links demonstrating the complementarity of hedonic and eudaimonic traditions. Centrality analysis indicated that eudaimonic dimensions, particularly meaning in life and purpose, were the most central to the well-being network of emerging adults, while hedonic life satisfaction also played an important role. In contrast, positive and negative affect were less influential within the network. Network stability analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. Implications include recommendations for conceptualizing and measuring well-being to capture the interconnected and fluid nature of well-being beyond rigid hedonic and eudaimonic distinctions and the development of targeted interventions fostering well-being in emerging adulthood.
Eduaimonia , Hedonia , Kazakhstan , Network psychometrics , Psychological network , Well-being , Young adulthood
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Graduate School of Education, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Graduate School of Education
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