Who is More Authentic? A Moderator Effect of Gender Between Flow Experiences and Authenticity

Authenticity is essential to self-awareness and self-acceptance in personal development. Researchers have attempted to underline authenticity's antecedents, but little is known about the predictive role of gender differences and flow experiences together. Authenticity and flow experiences have been widely studied in psychology, sociology, and philosophy and have profoundly impacted an individual's well-being and happiness. Since it is a multi-component concept that many areas can discuss for personal growth and self-discovery, we focused on authenticity's individual and socio-demographic antecedents. In the current study, we examined flow experiences as an individual concept that may explain authenticity and the moderator role of gender in the relations between flow experiences and authenticity. Considering the antecedents of authenticity, it is beneficial to indicate how flow experiences lead to authenticity and gender differences in it. We used the Flow State Scale and Authenticity Scale as data collection tools. We followed a cross-sectional and correlational research design. The participants consist of 310 university students (190 females and 120 males) studying at various departments of Ataturk University. Results revealed that there was a significant correlation between flow experiences and authenticity. Furthermore, regression-based moderation analysis demonstrated that flow experiences were a significant predictor of authenticity, and gender moderates the relationship between flow experiences and authenticity. Results were interpreted as grounded in positive psychology literature.