Happiness in Health Sector Personnel; Some Demographic and Occupational Related Factors

Abstract

Background: Happiness, as a human basic emotion, has an important role in individual and society health, and can be a catalyzer for society development. The aim of this study was surveying happiness in health sector personnel and some demographic and occupational related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on health sector personnel of Kermanshah, Iran, during January to April 2014. From 537 distributed questionnaires (Oxford happiness questionnaire and demographic and occupational checklist), 480 were completed and collected (89% of response rate). Data were analyzed via SPSS18 software using independent-t, ANOVA, regression and Pearson’s correlation tests. Findings: The mean age of respondents was 35.8 ± 8.6 years. 30.2% of respondents were men (n = 144) and others were women. In concern with happiness levels, most of the respondents had little happiness (279 people, 58.1%). In addition, the mean score of total happiness was 38.3 ± 14.7. Physicians and midwives obtained the most (47.2) and the least mean scores of happiness (35.4), respectively. Besides, in the regression model, variables such as job loving, health satisfaction, and literacy level, had explained 21.5% of happiness variance changes (R = 0.469, R2 = 0.220, Rad = 0.215). Conclusion: Happiness in health sector personnel is lower than average. Necessary measures and programs for increasing happiness in the midwifery staff are recommended.

Keywords

• Happiness
• Health personnel
• Occupational factors