@2024 Afarand., IRAN
ISSN: 0000-0000 Iranian Journal of Isaar Studies 2017;1(1):29-34
ISSN: 0000-0000 Iranian Journal of Isaar Studies 2017;1(1):29-34
Relationship of Happiness with Demographic Characteristics, Personality and Intentional Activities in Veterans
ARTICLE INFO
Article Type
Descriptive & Survey StudyAuthors
Noferesti A. (*)Ganji N. (1)
Solaymani A.A. (2)
(*) Department of Cognitive Sciences, Alborz Branch, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
(1) Department of Cognitive Sciences, Alborz Branch, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
(2) University of Science & Culture, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence
Address: Department of Cognitive Science, Kharazmi University, Taleghani Avenue, No. 50, Tehran, IranPhone: +98 (21) 77600055
Fax: +98 (21) 77600055
noferest88@yahoo.com
Article History
Received: September 23, 2016Accepted: June 9, 2016
ePublished: February 24, 2017
ABSTRACT
Aims
As an aspect of the human emotions, happiness have different practical dimensions and outcomes in the social and personal domain, as well as in the psycho-physical and the emotional cognitive domains. Despite the fact that happiness has been noticed in many cultures as an important goal of life, but its sources and the factors affecting it are different in different cultures and groups. The aim of the study was to investigate the happiness and the personality factors affecting it in the Iranian veteran population.
Instrument & Methods In the descriptive survey study, the Iranian veterans and their spouses, the ex-prisoners of war and their spouses, and the spouses of the Iranian martyrs were studied in 2012-13. 1135 persons were selected via unequal ratio stratified sampling method. Data was collected using Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, NEO Personality Inventory, and Volunteer Functions Inventory. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise regression tests.
Findings Happiness was significantly correlated with age (r=0.06; p<0.05), educational level (r=0.22; p<0.01); monthly income (r=-0.16; p<0.001), and volunteer activities (r=0.57; p<0.001). The personality dimensions, i. e. neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, adaptability, and agreeableness, were significantly correlated by happiness.
Conclusion The personality characteristics (neuroticism and extroversion), the life conditions (the income level), and happiness volunteer activities affect the happiness level of the Iranian veteran population.
Instrument & Methods In the descriptive survey study, the Iranian veterans and their spouses, the ex-prisoners of war and their spouses, and the spouses of the Iranian martyrs were studied in 2012-13. 1135 persons were selected via unequal ratio stratified sampling method. Data was collected using Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, NEO Personality Inventory, and Volunteer Functions Inventory. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise regression tests.
Findings Happiness was significantly correlated with age (r=0.06; p<0.05), educational level (r=0.22; p<0.01); monthly income (r=-0.16; p<0.001), and volunteer activities (r=0.57; p<0.001). The personality dimensions, i. e. neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, adaptability, and agreeableness, were significantly correlated by happiness.
Conclusion The personality characteristics (neuroticism and extroversion), the life conditions (the income level), and happiness volunteer activities affect the happiness level of the Iranian veteran population.
CITATION LINKS
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[28]Mroczek DK, Spiro A 3rd. Change in life satisfaction during adulthood: findings from the veterans affairs normative aging study. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2005;88(1):189-202.
[29]Keyes CLM, Annas J. Feeling good and functioning well: Distinctive concepts in ancient philosophy and contemporary science. J Posit Psychol. 2009;4:197-201.
[30]DelleFave A, Brdar A, Freire T, Vella-Brodrick D, Wissing M. The eudaimonic and hedonic components of happiness: Qualitative and quantitative findings. Soc Indic Res. 2001;100:185-207.
[31]Argyle M. The psychology of happiness. 2nd edition. London: Rutledge Press; 2002.
[32]Blanchflower DG, Oswald AJ. Happiness and the human development index: The paradox of Australia. Aust Econ Rev. 2005;38(3):307-18.
[33]Liltsia P, Michailidisa A, Partalidoua M. Mapping perceived happiness alongside the rural-urban continuum. Procedia Economics and Finance. 2014;9:288-301.
[34]Veenhoven R. Hedonism and happiness. J Happiness Stud. 2003;4:437-57.
[35]Ahuvia A. If money doesn't make us happy, why do we act as if it does?. J Econ Psychol. 2008;29(4):491-507.
[36]Lu L, Shih JB. Sources of happiness: A qualitative approach. J Soc Psychol. 1997;137(2):181-7.
[37]Layard R, Layard B. Happiness: Lessons form a new science. London: Penguin Press; 2005.
[38] Karami S, Piraste A. Check the status of mental health in students Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Sci J Zanjan. 2001;9(35):66-73. [Persian]
[39]Bolier L, Haverman M, Westerhof GJ, Riper H, Smit F, Bohlmeijer E. Positive psychology interventions: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:119.
[40]Weinstein SM, Mermelstein RJ, Hankin BL, Hedeker D, Flay BR. Longitudinal patterns of daily affect and global mood during adolescence. J Res Adoles. 2007;17:587-600.
[41]Tkach C. Lyubomisky SJ. How do people pursue happiness?: Relating, personality, happiness-increasing strategies, and well-being. J Happiness Stud. 2006;7(2):183-225.
[42]Haghighi J, Khoshkonesh A, Shahni M, Nisi A. Five factor model of personality and sense of happiness among Undergraduate Students martyr Chamran University. J Educ Psychol. 2007;13(3):163-88. [Persian]
[43]Sari Sarraf V, Alavi Namvar P, Hosseininasab SD, Koushafar A. Examine the relationship between athletes and non- athletes joy with character in students of Tabriz University. Res Sports Sci. 2002;1(1):95-110. [Persian]
[44]Zarei Matin H, Bahirayi S, Eftekhari gharib Dousty S. The Effect of Personality on Happiness Among Students. Cult Islamic Univ. 2012;2(2):3-22. [Persian]
[45]Seligman M. Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfilling. 1St Edition. New York: Atria Books; 2004.
[46]Myers D. Exploring psychology.5th Edition. New York: Worth Publishers; 2002.
[47]Sin NL, Lyubomirsky S. Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: A practice friendly meta-analysis. J Clin Psychol. 2009;65(5):467-87.
[48]Sin NL, Della Porta MD, Lyubomirsky S. Tailoring positive psychology interventions to treat depressed individuals. In: Applied positive psychology: Improving everyday life, health, schools, work, and society. Donaldson SI, Csikszentmihalyi M, Nakamura J, editors. New York, NY: Routledge; 2011. pp. 79-96.
[49]Lyubomirsky S, Layous K. How do simple positive activities increase well-being?. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2013;22(1):57-62.
[50]Lyubomirsky S, King L, Diener E. The benefits of frequent positive affect: does happiness lead to success?. Psychol Bull. 2005;131(6):803-55.
[51]Lyubomirsky S, Dickerhoof R, Boehm JK, Sheldon KM. Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way: an experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being. Emotion. 2011;11(2):391-402.
[52]Layous K, Nelson SK, Lyubomirsky S. What is the optimal way to deliver a positive activity intervention? the case of writing about one’s best possible selves. J Happiness Stud. 2013;14(2):635-54.
[53]Chan DW. Orientations to happiness and subjective well‐being among Chinese prospective and in‐service teachers in Hong Kong. J Educ Psychol. 2009;29(2). Available from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01443410802570907.
[54]Emmons RA, McCullough ME. Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;84(2):377-89.
[55]Fredrickson BL, Cohn MA, Coffey KA, Pek J, Finkel SM. Open hearts build lives: positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2008;95(5):1045-62.
[2]Lyubomirsky S, Sousa L, Dickerhoof R. The costs and benefits of writing, talking, and thinking about life's triumphs and defeats. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2006;90(4):692-708.
[3]Lyubomirsky S. Why are some people happier than others? The role of cognitive and motivational processes in well-being. Am Psychol. 2001;56(3):239-49.
[4]Dolan P, Peasgood T, White M. Do we really know what makes us happy? A review of the economic literature on the factors associated with subjective well-being. J Econ Psychol. 2008;29:94-122.
[5]Cheng H, Furnham A. Personality, self-esteem, and demographic predictions of happiness and depression, Pers Individ Differ. 2003;34(6):921-42.
[6]Hills P, Argyle M. Emotional stability as a major dimension of happiness. Pers Individ Differ. 2001;31(8):1357-64.
[7]Garusi Farshi M, Mani A, Bakhshipour Roudsari A. Examined the relationship between personality traits and happiness among students of Tabriz University. J Psychol. 2006;1(1):143-58. [Persian]
[8]Chang R, Chang EC, Sanna LJ, Hatcher RL. Optimism and pessimism as personality variables linked to adjustment. In: Boyle GJ, Matthews G, Saklofske DH, editors. SAGE handbooks of personality theory and assessment: Personality measurement and testing (Volume 1). London: Sage; 2008. pp. 470-85.
[9]Omidian D. Study of mental health and happiness in students of Yazd University. Stud Educ Psychol. 2009;10(1):101-16. [Persian]
[10]Fredrickson BL. The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The Broaden-and-Build Theory of positive emotions. Am Psychol. 2001;56(3):218-26.
[11]Shields MA, Wheatley Price S. Exploring the economic and social determinants of psychological well-being and perceived social support in England. J Royal Stat Soc. 2005;168(3):513-37.
[12]Baker LA, Caholin LP, Gerst K, Burr JA. Productive activity and subjective well-being among older adults: The influence of number of activities and time commitment. Soc Indic Res. 2005;73(3):431-58.
[13]Deci EL, Ryan RM. The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychol Inquiry. 2000;11(4):227-68.
[14]Neshatdoost HT, Kalantari M, Mehrabi HA, Palahang H, Nouri NA, Soltani I. Predicting factors of happiness in mobarekeh steal company personnel. J Appl Soc. 2009;20(1):105-18. [Persian]
[15]Boehm JK, Lyubomirsky S. Does happiness promote career success?. J Career Assess. 2008;16(1):101-16.
[16]Rafienia P, Asghari A. The relationship between love types and subjective well being in married college students. J Fam Res. 2007;3(9):491-501. [Persian]
[17]Azmoodeh P, Shahidi Sh, Danesh E. The relationship between religious orientation and happiness in the students' tenacity. J Psychol. 2007;11(1):60-74. [Persian]
[18]Sheldon KM, Lyubomirsky S. Is it possible to become happier? (and if so, How?). Soc Pers Psychol Compass. 2007;1(1):129-45.
[19]Argyle M, Lu L. The happiness of extraverts. Pers Individ Differ. 1990;11(10):1011-7.
[20]Spielberger CD, Sarason G. Stress and emotion: Anxiety, anger, & curiosity. Washington DC: Taylor & Francis; 1995.
[21]Hadynezhad H, Zarei F. Reliability, validity and standardization of Oxford Happiness questionnaire. Psychol Res. 2009;12(1-2):62-77. [Persian]
[22]Alipour O, Noorbala AA. A preliminary evaluation of the validity and reliability of the oxford happiness questionnaire in students in the Universities of Tehran. Iran J Psychiatry Clin Psychol. 1999;5(1-2):55-66. [Persian]
[23]John OP, Donahue EM, Kentle, RL. The Big Five Inventory--Versions 4a and 54. Berkeley, CA: University of California, Berkeley, Institute of Personality and Social Research; 1991.
[24]John OP, Srivastava S. The big five trait taxonomy: History, measurement, and theoretical perspectives. In: Handbook of personality: Theory and research. Pervin LA, John OP, editors. New York: Guilford; 1999.
[25]Lyubomirsky S, Sheldon KM, Schkade D. Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Rev Gen Psychol. 2005;9(2):111-31.
[26]Easterlin R. Life cycle happiness and its sources: Intersections of psychology, economics, and demography. J Econ Psychol. 2006;27(4):463-82.
[27]Koivumaa-Honkanen H1, Honkanen R, Koskenvuo M, Kaprio J. Self-reported happiness in life and suicide in ensuing 20 years. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2003;38(5):244-8.
[28]Mroczek DK, Spiro A 3rd. Change in life satisfaction during adulthood: findings from the veterans affairs normative aging study. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2005;88(1):189-202.
[29]Keyes CLM, Annas J. Feeling good and functioning well: Distinctive concepts in ancient philosophy and contemporary science. J Posit Psychol. 2009;4:197-201.
[30]DelleFave A, Brdar A, Freire T, Vella-Brodrick D, Wissing M. The eudaimonic and hedonic components of happiness: Qualitative and quantitative findings. Soc Indic Res. 2001;100:185-207.
[31]Argyle M. The psychology of happiness. 2nd edition. London: Rutledge Press; 2002.
[32]Blanchflower DG, Oswald AJ. Happiness and the human development index: The paradox of Australia. Aust Econ Rev. 2005;38(3):307-18.
[33]Liltsia P, Michailidisa A, Partalidoua M. Mapping perceived happiness alongside the rural-urban continuum. Procedia Economics and Finance. 2014;9:288-301.
[34]Veenhoven R. Hedonism and happiness. J Happiness Stud. 2003;4:437-57.
[35]Ahuvia A. If money doesn't make us happy, why do we act as if it does?. J Econ Psychol. 2008;29(4):491-507.
[36]Lu L, Shih JB. Sources of happiness: A qualitative approach. J Soc Psychol. 1997;137(2):181-7.
[37]Layard R, Layard B. Happiness: Lessons form a new science. London: Penguin Press; 2005.
[38] Karami S, Piraste A. Check the status of mental health in students Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Sci J Zanjan. 2001;9(35):66-73. [Persian]
[39]Bolier L, Haverman M, Westerhof GJ, Riper H, Smit F, Bohlmeijer E. Positive psychology interventions: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:119.
[40]Weinstein SM, Mermelstein RJ, Hankin BL, Hedeker D, Flay BR. Longitudinal patterns of daily affect and global mood during adolescence. J Res Adoles. 2007;17:587-600.
[41]Tkach C. Lyubomisky SJ. How do people pursue happiness?: Relating, personality, happiness-increasing strategies, and well-being. J Happiness Stud. 2006;7(2):183-225.
[42]Haghighi J, Khoshkonesh A, Shahni M, Nisi A. Five factor model of personality and sense of happiness among Undergraduate Students martyr Chamran University. J Educ Psychol. 2007;13(3):163-88. [Persian]
[43]Sari Sarraf V, Alavi Namvar P, Hosseininasab SD, Koushafar A. Examine the relationship between athletes and non- athletes joy with character in students of Tabriz University. Res Sports Sci. 2002;1(1):95-110. [Persian]
[44]Zarei Matin H, Bahirayi S, Eftekhari gharib Dousty S. The Effect of Personality on Happiness Among Students. Cult Islamic Univ. 2012;2(2):3-22. [Persian]
[45]Seligman M. Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfilling. 1St Edition. New York: Atria Books; 2004.
[46]Myers D. Exploring psychology.5th Edition. New York: Worth Publishers; 2002.
[47]Sin NL, Lyubomirsky S. Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: A practice friendly meta-analysis. J Clin Psychol. 2009;65(5):467-87.
[48]Sin NL, Della Porta MD, Lyubomirsky S. Tailoring positive psychology interventions to treat depressed individuals. In: Applied positive psychology: Improving everyday life, health, schools, work, and society. Donaldson SI, Csikszentmihalyi M, Nakamura J, editors. New York, NY: Routledge; 2011. pp. 79-96.
[49]Lyubomirsky S, Layous K. How do simple positive activities increase well-being?. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2013;22(1):57-62.
[50]Lyubomirsky S, King L, Diener E. The benefits of frequent positive affect: does happiness lead to success?. Psychol Bull. 2005;131(6):803-55.
[51]Lyubomirsky S, Dickerhoof R, Boehm JK, Sheldon KM. Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way: an experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being. Emotion. 2011;11(2):391-402.
[52]Layous K, Nelson SK, Lyubomirsky S. What is the optimal way to deliver a positive activity intervention? the case of writing about one’s best possible selves. J Happiness Stud. 2013;14(2):635-54.
[53]Chan DW. Orientations to happiness and subjective well‐being among Chinese prospective and in‐service teachers in Hong Kong. J Educ Psychol. 2009;29(2). Available from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01443410802570907.
[54]Emmons RA, McCullough ME. Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;84(2):377-89.
[55]Fredrickson BL, Cohn MA, Coffey KA, Pek J, Finkel SM. Open hearts build lives: positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2008;95(5):1045-62.