Psychological flexibility and the Eudaimonic Activity Model: Testing associations among psychological flexibility, need satisfaction, and subjective well-being

In accord with the Eudaimonic Activity Model, we examined whether need satisfaction and frustration mediate the association between psychological flexibility/inflexibility and subjective well-being. Undergraduate participants (N = 281) completed the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory, the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience. Results showed that need satisfaction and frustration statistically mediated associations between psychological flexibility/inflexibility and facets of well-being. Similar effects emerged in analyses of a pre-existing data set. We discuss psychological flexibility in relation to both the Eudaimonic Activity Model and Self-Determination Theory.