Abstract

Background: This study investigated the direct and mediating effects of mattering and anti-mattering between happiness and depressive symptoms.
Methods: Using correlational design with survey, 289 participants (40.5% males, 58.1% females, mean age = 25.5±SD = 8.4 years) at the University Health Services, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, responded to the Patient Health Questionnaire, Anti-mattering Scale, and the Authentic Happiness Scale.
Results: The results showed that greater perception of mattering significantly predicted less depressive symptoms [β = -0.15, t = -2.39, p < 0.05] while increase of anti-mattering perception predicted more depressive symptoms [β = 0.23, t = 3.81, p < 0.01]. Mattering significantly mediated the effects of authentic happiness on depressive symptoms [β = -0.08, BootLower CI = -0.14, BootUpper CI = -0.02].
Conclusion: The study concluded that mattering was associated with less depressive symptoms while
anti-mattering was associated with more depressive symptoms. Fluctuating happiness was associated
with more symptoms of depression. Mattering partially mediated the effects of authentic happiness on
depressive symptoms...

Key words: Depressive symptoms, Authentic happiness, Fluctuating happiness, Mattering, Anti-mattering