Kathryn Buchanan
University of Essex
Agency ('getting ahead') and communion ('getting along') have repeatedly been related to well-being. However, the broad nature of these superordinate constructs makes it difficult to identify which aspect of agency and communion relate to well-being - motives, behaviours or a fit between the two (motive-behaviour fit)? Data from three correlational studies clearly and consistently demonstrate that only the behavioural aspect of agency and communion relate to well-being. Data from an intervention study also indicate that enacting agency and communion behaviours may increase well-being.