Power actually makes people happy: study

While people may believe the stereotype that power leads to unhappiness or loneliness, new research indicates that it is largely untrue.

Researchers led by Yona Kifer of Tel Aviv University in Israel hypothesised that holding a position of authority might enhance subjective well-being through an increased feeling of authenticity.

The researchers predicted that because the powerful are able to "navigate their lives in congruence with their internal desires and inclinations," they feel as if they are acting more authentically - more "themselves" - and thus are more content.

In the study, published in journal Psychological Science, researchers surveyed over 350 participants to determine if internal feelings of power are associated with subjective well-being in different contexts: at work, with friends, or in romantic relationships.

The results indicated that people who feel powerful in any context tend to be more content.

The most powerful people surveyed felt 16 per cent more satisfied with their lives than the least powerful people. This effect was most pronounced in the workplace: Powerful employees were 26 per cent more satisfied with their jobs than their powerless colleagues.

The power-based discrepancy in happiness was smaller for friendships and romantic relationships. The researchers posit that this may be because friendships are associated with a sense of community rather than hierarchy, and therefore having power in this kind of relationship is less important.

In the second and third experiments, Kifer and colleagues examined the causal relationship between power, feelings of authenticity, and general well-being, by manipulating each of the factors independently.

The results revealed that being in a position of power causes people to feel more authentic and "true to themselves" - that is, it allows their actions to more closely reflect their beliefs and desires. Feelings of authenticity, in turn, enhance subjective feelings of well-being and happiness.

"By leading people to be true to their desires and inclinations - to be authentic - power leads individuals to experience greater happiness," the researchers concluded.