Measuring Eudaimonic and Hedonic Wellbeing: Development and Validation of the Holistic Wellbeing Measure

The primary goal of this study was to develop a concise, theoretically grounded tool –the Holistic Wellbeing Measure (HWM)– that captures both hedonic and eudaimonic facets of wellbeing. Items for the HWM were generated through a careful review of existing wellbeing scales and literature, followed by expert consultation, pilot testing, and iterative refinement to ensure conceptual coverage, clarity, and face validity. Data were collected from three distinct samples: adolescents (n = 453), young adults (n = 361), and adults (n = 358). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a two-factor structure, with 12 items reflecting independent but related hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing dimensions. The measure demonstrated strong internal reliability and evidence of convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity across all age groups. Regression analyses further indicated that the HWM contributed unique variance to the prediction of general health indicators (physical, social, and mental health) and psychological problems (depression, anxiety, and somatization), above the effects of gender, age, and psychological wellbeing. These results suggest that the HWM is a valid and reliable measure for assessing both aspects of wellbeing across age groups and can support strategies aimed at promoting overall mental health.