Psychological flexibility and psychological inflexibility are independently associated with both hedonic and eudaimonic well-being

The current studies examined whether psychological flexibility and inflexibility, as assessed with the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI; Rolffs et al., 2018), are associated with eudaimonic and hedonic well-being. In two cross-sectional studies, undergraduate participants (N's = 315 and 345, respectively) completed the MPFI along with multiple measures of eudaimonic well-being (in Study 1) or of hedonic wellbeing (in Study 2). In both studies, psychological flexibility and inflexibility composite scores were significantly and independently related to well-being. In Study 2, the relationship between hedonic well-being and MPFI composite scores persisted when controlling for meaning in life and psychological need satisfaction/frustration. These findings point to the relevance of the ACT framework and the dimensions of psychological flexibility and inflexibility for the understanding of well-being and suggest ways in which psychological flexibility/inflexibility could be studied further in relation to well-being outcomes.