Happiness and its possible influence on health: An aspect of the broaden and build theory

• Main Authors: Hui-Hsun Chinag, 江慧珣
• Other Authors: Tony Szu-Hsien Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/17321215061556275808

博士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 健康促進與衛生教育學系 === 101 === Purpose: A growing awareness of the rapidly-increasing aged population in the world has led to growing attention on mental health promotion in late life. The aims of this dissertation are to determine the components of happiness among retired old adults and to examine the influence of happiness on their health. Method: This dissertation includes 3 interrelated studies. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were applied. Study 1 examines the validity and reliability of the Chinese Happiness Inventory. Study 2 investigates the relationships between happiness and physical, psychological and social factors, as well as the influence of happiness on these three factors. Study 3 evaluates the process of happiness promotion and its impact on health. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to analyze the components of the Chinese Happiness Inventory, and a canonical correlation analysis was applied to explore the correlation with Ryff's psychological well-being scales. A path analysis was applied to examine the relationships among happiness and physical, psychological and social factors, and the content analysis was applied to interpret the qualitative results. Results: The results indicate that the Chinese Happiness Inventory includes 3 components: positive affect, life satisfaction and interpersonal relationships. These components were highly-correlated with self-acceptance, positive relations with others, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth. Happiness was also positively-correlated with perceived health, sense of coherence and family relationships. From the path model, happiness has a direct influence on perceived health contributions by family relationships and sense of coherence. The family relationships influence happiness directly and indirectly by furnishing a sense of coherence. The qualitative analysis showed that when individuals build higher levels of happiness through positive broadening of their social connections, this results in positive family relationships and a good sense of coherence. Conclusions: The study found that happiness has a positive impact on health and that happiness is promoted by good family relationships and a sense of coherence. Consequently, promotion of positive social connection and positive experience sharing may benefit family relationships and a sense of coherence, providing further higher levels of happiness and good health among retired older adults.