Definitions and scope of ginhawa: Unpacking the experiences of Filipinos toward having a good life

Abstract

In the past years, Psychology has significantly paid attention to studying flourishing in order to achieve a good life. With the progressive direction that western psychology has taken, there is an equal need to explore the cultural concept that can appropriately be used to better advance the science of the good life. In the Philippines, ginhawa depicts the state of being of the individual that is connected to one’s social relation and integrated into one’s personhood. This study aims to propose a definition of ginhawa and identify its domains that are necessary to empirically advance the construct. Adult participants from one of the provinces of the Philippines with regard to their experience of having ginhawa participated in this investigation. As a result of the thematic analysis, two kinds of ginhawa emerged: the ginhawa panlabas (externality) and ginhawang panloob (internality). As a contribution of this investigation, a definition of ginhawa is proposed, that is a continuous experience to achieve and maintain the balanced dynamic between ginhawang panloob (internality) and ginhawang panlabas (externality) that is directed toward achieving a good life. Operationalization of the elements of this proposed definition is discussed elaborately in the paper.

Keywords

Filipino psychology good life indigenous psychology life satisfaction well-being

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