The Effect of Creativity on Emotions and Psychological Well-Being
Abstract
Engaging in creative behaviors may lead to increased positive emotions and enhanced psychological well-being. An association between creativity and positive affect, satisfaction with life, meaningfulness, and self-esteem is apparent from existing literature. The purpose of this study is to further examine these relationships to determine whether performing a creative task causes improved mood and overall well-being. For the study, 329 college students engaged in either a creative or control writing task and then completed self-report measures of emotion, enjoyment, self-esteem, satisfaction with life, and meaning in life. Their perceived creativity of the task, objective creativeness of their work on the task, and effort on the task were also measured. Subjective creativity was found to promote better mood and well-being through its influence on self-esteem and pleasure. This relationship could have implications for improving the overall mental health and happiness of all individuals.
Subject
CreativityWell-Being
Emotion
Mood
Happiness
Life Satisfaction
Self-Esteem
Enjoyment
Pleasure
Citation
Flanagan, Madeline M (2018). The Effect of Creativity on Emotions and Psychological Well-Being. Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /188534.