Impact of eudaimonic well being on depression, anxiety, stress and meaning at work in male and female doctors

Pages: 639-641
Manpreet Ola (Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied, Sciences, Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana)

From over a decade, positive psychology has been interested in concepts associated with positive human functioning. In this study we will focus on another emerging concept of positive psychology. Eudaimonia which is identified as the greatest human good, it is the best or greatest activity of the soul or joy which permeates and fulfils a good life. It is often translated as happiness, joy or well-being, and it also has some connotations like success, so it is possible to understand that living well also includes doing well. It is essential and independent, achieved by nothing but itself, so that it may include everything else, and even comfort, however it extends beyond it (Broadie, 1991). This was introduced by Aristotle. It is a topic for scientific enquiry. The aim of the study was to see whether eudaimonic well-being will have any impact on depression, anxiety, stress and meaning at work in male and female doctors. Participants were 60 doctors (30 males and 30 females) from Rajasthan, India, in the age range of 30-60 years, with no history of any psychiatric illness. They gave their consent to participate in the study. Eudaimonic well being was assessed using the purpose in life scale of the Ryff measures of psychological well-being (Keyes et al., 2002; Ryff and Keyes, 1995; Smith et al., 2013), depression, anxiety, and stress levels through Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS by Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), and meaningful work through work and meaning inventory (Steger, 2012). Sample was purposive and the data were collected in individual situations. There was difference between male and female doctors with regard to eudaimonic well-being, depression, anxiety, stress and meaning at work, however only on the dimension of depression the results were significant, where male doctors had significantly more depression than that of female doctors (t = 2.64, p = .01). With regard to correlation between eudaimonic well-being, depression, anxiety and stress there was significant inverse correlation (r = -.82; r = -.72; r = -.71) respectively (p = .01). However with meaning at work there was positive correlation with eudaimonic well-being (r = .52; p = .01). It can be concluded that positive eudaimonic well-being reduces mental health concerns and it has a positive influence on individuals who find their work meaningful. Also we can say that work is only one of many, and often not the most important of the influences on health and well-being. However due to the small sample size the result findings cannot be generalized.