Cultural Differences in the Relation between Self‐discrepancy and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

Cultural differences in the relation between self‐discrepancy and subjective well‐being were examined. Participants from India ( N = 54) and the United States ( N = 55) listed 10 goals they set for themselves and their parents set for them. They rated the importance of own and parental goals from their own and their parents' perspective. They also completed measures of collectivism and well‐being. Americans, who were less collectivistic than Indians, rated their own goals to be more important than their parents' goals for them, whereas Indians regarded their own and their parents' goals as equally important. Americans' well‐being was predicted by discrepancies between own and parental ratings on personal goals. However, discrepancies between own and parental ratings on parental goals were predictive of Indians' well‐being. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.