Cited by 576Psychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionHemispheric Asymmetry in NeuroscienceNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

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Making a Life Worth Living: Neural Correlates of Well-Being

Urry, Heather L., Nitschke, Jack B., Dolski, Isa, Jackson, Daren C., Dalton, Kim M., Mueller, Corrina J., Rosenkranz, Melissa A., Ryff, Carol D., Singer, Burton H., Davidson, Richard J.·2004·Psychological Science

DOI 10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00686.x

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Abstract

Despite the vast literature that has implicated asymmetric activation of the prefrontal cortex in approach-withdrawal motivation and emotion, no published reports have directly explored the neural correlates of well-being. Eighty-four right-handed adults (ages 57–60) completed self-report measures of eudaimonic well-being, hedonic well-being, and positive affect prior to resting electroencephalography. As hypothesized, greater left than right superior frontal activation was associated with higher levels of both forms of well-being. Hemisphere-specific analyses documented the importance of goal-directed approach tendencies beyond those captured by approach-related positive affect for eudaimonic but not for hedonic well-being. Appropriately engaging sources of appetitive motivation, characteristic of higher left than right baseline levels of prefrontal activation, may encourage the experience of well-being.

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Authors: Urry, H. L., Nitschke, J. B., Dolski, I., Jackson, D. C., Dalton, K. M., Mueller, C. J., Rosenkranz, M. A., Ryff, C. D., Singer, B. H., & Davidson, R. J.
Affiliations: University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
Princeton University (US)
ORCID: Urry, Heather L.
Rosenkranz, Melissa A.
Ryff, Carol D.
Singer, Burton H.
Davidson, Richard J.
Venue: Psychological Science
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2004-06
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
Pages: 367-372
ISSN: 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
1467-9280
DOI: 10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00686.x
OpenAlex: W2155706205
Cited by: 576
References: 47
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 58 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 39 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 39
FWCI: 20.86
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Mental Health (P50 MH61083, P50MH061083, T32MH18931, P50-MH 52354, P50MH052354, MH 43454, K08MH063984, K08-MH63984, T32MH018931)
National Center for Research Resources (M01RR003186, M01 RR-03186)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords: eudaimonic well-being, hedonic well-being, positive affect, prefrontal cortex, superior frontal cortex, hemispheric lateralization, approach motivation, appetitive motivation, goal-directed behavior, older adults
MeSH terms: Attitude, Brain, Electrocardiography, Emotions, Humans, Life Change Events, Middle Aged, Motivation, Prefrontal Cortex

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Making a Life Worth Living: Neural Correlates of Well-Being

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