Harmony Beyond Hedonia and Eudaimonia

Recent advances in wellbeing research emphasize its multifaceted nature, traditionally defined by hedonic and eudaimonic approaches. However, growing cross-cultural and empirical studies suggest this dichotomy may be insufficient to capture the diversity and complexity of human flourishing. This study investigates harmony as a distinct and essential dimension of wellbeing beyond life satisfaction and meaning in life. Drawing on data from culturally diverse samples in the United States and Hong Kong, confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling were applied to compare one-, two-, and three-factor models encompassing life satisfaction, meaning in life, and harmony. Across both samples, the three-factor exploratory structural equation modeling model showed the best fit, supporting the empirical distinctiveness of harmony. The findings provide strong empirical evidence for a tripartite model of wellbeing and support harmony as a core dimension of wellbeing. The results underscore the importance of expanding wellbeing frameworks to include culturally sensitive constructs and suggest a more holistic and integrative approach to conceptualizing and operationalizing wellbeing —one that moves beyond the hedonic–eudaimonic dichotomy— and opens new directions for future research, measurement, and interventions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.