Factors Affecting Happiness: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Iranian Youth

Abstract

Introduction: Happiness is one of the most important concepts in the mental health that has an impact on different aspects of young people. Aim: The present study was conducted to identify the factors influencing happiness among young persons in Liam, Iran during 2014. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among young population 15-29-year-old. Multistage cluster random sampling method was used to select the participants. Data were collected using two demographic and Oxford Happiness Inventory. SPSS software Package 14 was used to analyse the data. Results: A total of 500 young people, including 272 men and 228 women were enrolled. The Mean ± SD of the participants’ age was 20 ± 2.18 years. There was a significant relationship between the happiness score and location in urban and rural, employment status and physical activity. There was not a significant relationship between gender, marital status and education level with happiness score among participants. Conclusion: The age groups, type of occupation, physical activity and place of residence were factors associated with happiness in young persons. However, there was not significant relationship between gender, marital status and education level with a happiness score among study participants.

Keywords

• iranian youth
• happiness score
• physical activity