Abstract
In the Western settings, power positively predicted happiness (e.g., Kifer et al. 2013). Though, this result may not be generalized across cultures as cultural psychologists recognized that interdependence is more important in collectivist cultures. Consistent with this conjecture, Datu and Reyes (2014) assessed the relations among power, relations, and happiness in the Philippine setting which revealed that power negatively predicted happiness. However, not much is known on why power could potentially reduce happiness in collectivist cultures. Thus, the current investigation employed qualitative research to offer in-depth explanations on why power may be associated with lower happiness in a collectivist setting. Findings revealed three major themes that characterized reasons on why power may decrease happiness in an interdependent context: a.) Power impairs relationship; b.) Power evokes negative judgments from others; and c.) Power comes with a great responsibility. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Dr. Ronnel Bornasal King for his remarkable assistance in reviewing the earlier version of this manuscript. We also thank Mr. Christopher P. Hernandez and Dr. Golda Aira V. Crisostomo for helping us in the data collection phase.
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There is no conflict of interest in the present study as the authors did not receive funds from any institution.
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All data collection procedures carried out among the participants in the current research was in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee or comparable ethical standards. It should be noted that prior to actual data collection, informed consent was obtained from all the participants in the study. This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.
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The manuscript is based on the Master’s degree thesis of the author. Some portions of the results were already reported elsewhere (Datu 2014b).
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Datu, J.A.D., Reyes, J.A.S. Why Power Decreases Happiness in a Collectivist Context? A Qualitative Study. Curr Psychol 36, 14–21 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-015-9380-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-015-9380-4