It is observed that the different trends of relationship between happiness and age (U curve, inverted U curve, and linearity) are based on different indicators of happiness. In some research a single item measure was used but others employed multiple items. Besides, categorization of age for the data analysis is also different across the studies. Therefore, the following observations may be made about the relationship between happiness and age:
1) The relationship between happiness and age could be described in a U curve if the indicators of happiness are life satisfaction, subjective well-being and positive affect.
2) Age may play a role in the happiness of an individual in the form of inverted U curve if the indicators of happiness are overall …show more content…
First, we wanted to examine the relationship between age and happiness by employing commonly used multiple measures of happiness. The existing variations in the age-happiness link will be re-examined in the present study by taking into account three age groups, namely late adolescents, young adults and elderly. Measurement of happiness using various psychological tools has been popular method in social psychology researches. Brief compilation of existing predominant happiness measures is provided for further information. (Insert Table 4 about here)
Past studies indicated that happiness measured by commonly used scales (Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, OHQ, Single Item Happiness Scale, SIHS and Subjective Happiness Scale, SHS) has not been examined across the three age groups. The three scales that are proposed to include in the present study are somehow different from each other but all of them have been used to assess happiness. Therefore, it was assumed that a study on age and happiness relationship using these three scales will provide better understanding of the much complicated relationship between age and happiness. Based on the literature reviewed, different trends (U-shaped, inverted U-shaped and linear) of age-happiness relationship were observed therefore it was hypothesized that elderly people would be happier than young adults and adolescents …show more content…
Social desirability bias in social science research would lead to over reporting of socially desirable behaviours or attitude and underreporting of undesirable behaviours or attitude. In the present study, the interplay between reported happiness and social desirability will be examined to see whether happiness across age significantly differ after controlling for social desirability.
Self esteem: Higher self-esteem leads to stronger self-worth which contributes to our well-being and happiness as shown by Lyubomirsky et al (2006) that happiness and self-esteem are highly positively correlated. According to a survey conducted by Diener and Diener (1995), high self esteem emerged as the strongest factor in overall life satisfaction.
Personality: Happiness has been found to be linked with many variables such as personality, with research evidence showing extraversion is positively and neuroticism is negatively related to happiness (Soto, 205; Liu& Shih, 2010; John& Srivastava,
1) The relationship between happiness and age could be described in a U curve if the indicators of happiness are life satisfaction, subjective well-being and positive affect.
2) Age may play a role in the happiness of an individual in the form of inverted U curve if the indicators of happiness are overall …show more content…
First, we wanted to examine the relationship between age and happiness by employing commonly used multiple measures of happiness. The existing variations in the age-happiness link will be re-examined in the present study by taking into account three age groups, namely late adolescents, young adults and elderly. Measurement of happiness using various psychological tools has been popular method in social psychology researches. Brief compilation of existing predominant happiness measures is provided for further information. (Insert Table 4 about here)
Past studies indicated that happiness measured by commonly used scales (Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, OHQ, Single Item Happiness Scale, SIHS and Subjective Happiness Scale, SHS) has not been examined across the three age groups. The three scales that are proposed to include in the present study are somehow different from each other but all of them have been used to assess happiness. Therefore, it was assumed that a study on age and happiness relationship using these three scales will provide better understanding of the much complicated relationship between age and happiness. Based on the literature reviewed, different trends (U-shaped, inverted U-shaped and linear) of age-happiness relationship were observed therefore it was hypothesized that elderly people would be happier than young adults and adolescents …show more content…
Social desirability bias in social science research would lead to over reporting of socially desirable behaviours or attitude and underreporting of undesirable behaviours or attitude. In the present study, the interplay between reported happiness and social desirability will be examined to see whether happiness across age significantly differ after controlling for social desirability.
Self esteem: Higher self-esteem leads to stronger self-worth which contributes to our well-being and happiness as shown by Lyubomirsky et al (2006) that happiness and self-esteem are highly positively correlated. According to a survey conducted by Diener and Diener (1995), high self esteem emerged as the strongest factor in overall life satisfaction.
Personality: Happiness has been found to be linked with many variables such as personality, with research evidence showing extraversion is positively and neuroticism is negatively related to happiness (Soto, 205; Liu& Shih, 2010; John& Srivastava,