From ME to WE: A literature review on happiness and well-being focused on relational factors and social interconnectedness

Well-being emerges as the outcome of multiple interactions that happens in and over time through the dynamic interplay of personal, societal and environmental structures and processes. Due to the recent formulation of the concept of Interdependent Happiness, which is interdependently pursued and attained, we proposed a literature review aimed to highlight how the two sides of the same coin – independent and interdependent happiness – can vary according to people’s cultural values. We reviewed part of the happiness definitions existing in literature, providing psychological, societal and cross-cultural considerations and integrating in this framework the concepts of social capital and relational goods. These concepts are based on the idea that individuals and groups can gain resources from their connections to one another.