What differs between happy and unhappy people?

Abstract

This study explores the determinants (demographic, personal, behavioural, and social) by which happy and unhappy people differ. The primary sample from which the participants were chosen was a representative sample of Croatian citizens (N = 4000). On the basis of the distribution of overall happiness the sample of the highest (the happy group) and the lowest 10 % of participants (the unhappy group) were selected. The happy group (N = 400) represented the upper end of the happiness distribution, while the unhappy group (N = 400) represented the lower end of the distribution. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics (age, gender, income, and education), ratings of subjective health status, satisfaction with specific personal and national domains (IWI-International Wellbeing Index), trust in people, and trust in institutions. Frequency of various leisure activities, and involvement in the community life were also reported. The differences in examined variables were analysed between the two groups. Results showed that the happy individuals were younger, with higher income, and with higher education than unhappy ones. After controlling for age, income, and education level, the happy people were found to be more satisfied with personal and national wellbeing domains, of better subjective health status, reported higher trust in people and institutions, and were more engaged in leisure activities and community life than the unhappy ones.

Socioeconomic differential in self-assessment of health and happiness in 5 African countries: Finding from World Value Survey

“…In that regard, authors Matz et al [ 31 ] have observed individuals’ spending capacity to positively correlate with higher levels of life satisfaction. This corroborates that prevalence of unhappy status was higher for elderly [ 32 ] or low income elderly [ 33 ], although as Ye et al [ 34 ] suggested that the traditional economic factors and demographics have low explanatory power over the cross-country differences in subjective well-being. The results further suggest that policies and programs aiming at improving financial conditions of households may end up improving overall health and wellbeing.…”

Are rural adults happy? An observational study of happiness and its determinants

“…13,15,20 People who were healthy or had no co morbidities were found to be happier than the people with co morbidities in the study, which paralleled with studies done within India and outside. 16,17,[19][20][21][22][23]25 Individuals who met their friends and relatives regularly or were a part of a social group were found to be happier than the lonelier ones and this result was statistically significant. This finding was well supported by reported literature as well.…”

“…17,18 In the present study no differences were noted due to literacy and occupation parameters but these were contrary to studies from other countries. 13,17,19 The probable explanation would be that, less educated people had more leisure time to engage themselves in other activities which could be the source of happiness. Education may also lead to higher expectations from life which sometimes becomes more difficult to attain and hence leads to dissatisfaction in life.…”

“…Studies have shown that wealthier people are more happy as they can fulfil most of their demands. 13,14,16,19,20 Income aspirations appear to be related to subjective well-being in a non-linear fashion, according to a study from rural India. 17 Married people were found to be happier than widowed/single/divorced in the current study.…”

Croatia, Personal Well-Being Index

“…Those IWI indices were then continuously used to monitor the wellbeing of Croatia's citizens in the years 2005, 2007, and 2008(Kaliterna Lipovcan and Prizmic Larsen 2006aKaliterna Lipovcan et al 2011). Recently only PWI was used for monitoring the well-being of Croatia's citizens in the years , 2015, and 2016, 2017Kaliterna Lipovcan 2018).…”