Graphic credit: Debra Bolgla
More intriguing from a negotiation and conflict resolution viewpoint, the research also concluded that the fulfillment of others‘ needs plays a substantive role in one’s life satisfaction:
An important finding, Diener [the researcher] said, is that the research indicated that people have higher life evaluations when others in society also have their needs fulfilled.
“Thus life satisfaction is not just an individual affair, but depends substantially also on the quality of life of one’s fellow citizens,” he said.
“Our findings suggest that Maslow’s theory is largely correct. In cultures all over the world the fulfillment of his proposed needs correlates with happiness,” Diener said. “However, an important departure from Maslow’s theory is that we found that a person can report having good social relationships and self-actualization even if their basic needs and safety needs are not completely fulfilled.”
Read more about the research here: Researchers Look for Ingredients of Happiness around the World.
This info about happiness from meeting others' needs makes a lot of sense, and really validates what we mediators and conflict coaches do. Thanks for sharing this!