Selflessness Meets Higher and More Stable Happiness: An Experience Sampling Study of the Joint Dynamics of Selflessness and Happiness

International audiencePrevious studies have demonstrated the existence of a positive relationship between selflessness and happiness. However, none of these studies yet contrasted the between-and within-person levels of analysis. Moreover, the Selflessness/Self-centeredness Happiness Model (SSHM) suggests that selflessness might stabilize happiness. In this experience sampling study, we explored the relationships between selflessness and happiness-baseline and stability-at both the within-and between-person levels. During five consecutive days, participants responded seven times a day to short questions about happiness and selflessness. Our results showed that more selfless individuals were happier, and that more selfless moments of an individual were happier moments. Moreover, more selfless individuals were more stable from one day to the other. Finally, when people became more selfless, their happiness gained stability for the next assessment moment and the next day. This study brings new evidence of the importance of selflessness for happiness