Abstract

Previous research shows that subjective well-being is associated with positive intimate interpersonal relation. Considering the importance of construal however, the perception of interpersonal relation should be further studied in relation to subjective well-being. Thus, in the present research, we examined the relationship between essentialist beliefs about happiness (EBH), perception of interpersonal relation, and life satisfaction. Specifically, we hypothesized that perception of interpersonal relation would play a critical role in the association between EBH and life satisfaction. The results across the two studies (N=402) were consistent with our hypothesis. Specifically, Study 1 revealed that greater levels of EBH are associated with the tendency to perceive interpersonal relation as less important in happiness, which, in turn, was negatively associated with momentary happiness as well as overall life satisfaction. To identify the causal effect of EBH on interpersonal relation, we manipulate EBH in Study 2. We led participants to believe that happiness is largely determined by either genes (high EBH) or efforts (low EBH). Compared with those in the effort condition, participants in the gene condition showed significantly lower levels of intimacy in their interpersonal relation as well as life satisfaction. Moreover, we found that the negative effect of the EBH on life satisfaction was significantly mediated by intimacy in interpersonal relation. Overall, the present results suggest that perception of interpersonal relation is a critical factor in the association between EBH and happiness.