Harmony and its Impact on Psychological Functioning: a Systematic Review

The present paper reviews the concept of harmony and its ideological sources, examines three types of harmony and their measurement, and summarizes empirical findings on harmony and its psychological outcomes. Harmony refers to a state of peaceful existence and concord. Rooted in East Asian philosophy, harmony serves as a guiding principle in relationships with nature, people, and society, and has been assessed as a human value, personality trait, and relationship quality by Eastern and Western scholars. Among the three types of harmony, harmony with nature refers to balance between people and the natural world, linked to spirituality and self-transcendence. Intrapersonal harmony promotes a sense of equilibrium and contentment, contributing to one’s psychological health. Interpersonal harmony maintains social networks and benefits quality relationships, conducive to conflict management and resolution. In practice, harmony is useful in family, organizational, societal, and therapeutic contexts.