Finding the flourishing fit: Motivational Coherence as a Dynamic Pathway to Well-Being

The Flourishing Fit Model conceptualizes well-being as alignment among what people do, why they do it, and who they are. Two preregistered studies tested this framework using cross-sectional person (N = 392), activity (N = 1,179), and longitudinal (N = 239; 823 observations) data. Eudaimonic motives and orientations predicted well-being, whereas activity content had minimal effects once motivational alignment was considered. Personality traits calibrated rather than determined flourishing. Weeks high in orientation–experience coherence predicted subsequent increases in life satisfaction and worthwhileness through competence and novelty need satisfaction. Personality moderated these dynamics: neuroticism amplified and conscientiousness dampened reactivity. Across studies, motivational coherence emerged as the most consistent pathway to flourishing, integrating motivation, personality, and dynamic self-regulation.