People differ in how they define and pursue happiness and well-being (HWB). Previous studies suggested that the best way to achieve a high level of well-being might be to pursue different facets of HWB simultaneously. We expand on this idea and introduce the concept of complexity of HWB definitions to describe how many HWB definitions people endorse simultaneously, and the complexity of HWB-related intentions to describe how many unique facets of HWB people intend to pursue in everyday life. To operationalize these novel concepts, we developed two parallel measures that integrate psychological and philosophical definitions of HWB. In two independent studies (total N = 542), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed eight reliable and valid factors for both parallel scales: absence of negativity, positive attitude, tranquility, personal development, luck, joy and desires, purpose, and belonging. Complexity of HWB-related intentions was positively associated with all facets of well-being, whereas complexity of HWB definitions was only positively associated with some facets of well-being. HWB-related intentions and their complexity emerged as more important for the experience of well-being than HWB definitions and their complexity. These studies highlight the importance of a multifaceted conceptualization of HWB when investigating how the pursuit of HWB is related to actual levels of well-being.

人们在如何定义和追求幸福和幸福 (HWB) 方面存在差异。先前的研究表明，实现高水平幸福感的最佳方式可能是同时追求 HWB 的不同方面。我们扩展了这个想法，并引入了HWB 定义的复杂性概念来描述人们同时认可多少 HWB 定义，以及HWB 相关意图的复杂性来描述人们打算在日常生活中追求多少 HWB 的独特方面。为了将这些新颖的概念付诸实施，我们开发了两种平行的测量方法，将 HWB 的心理和哲学定义结合起来。在两项独立研究中（总共N = 542），探索性和验证性因素分析揭示了两个平行量表的八个可靠和有效因素：没有消极情绪、积极态度、平静、个人发展、运气、快乐和欲望、目的和归属感。HWB 相关意图的复杂性与幸福的所有方面呈正相关，而 HWB 定义的复杂性仅与幸福的某些方面呈正相关。与 HWB 相关的意图及其复杂性对于幸福体验而言比 HWB 定义及其复杂性更为重要。这些研究强调了在调查 HWB 的追求如何与实际幸福水平相关时，对 HWB 进行多方面概念化的重要性。