Age and Gender Differences in Happiness of School and College Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52783/jns.v14.3559Keywords:
Happiness, subjective well-being, emotion, academic environmentAbstract
Happiness, often referred to as subjective well-being, is a fundamental human emotion influenced by various psychological and demographic factors. This study aimed to examine the impact of age and gender on happiness levels among senior secondary and college students. A total of 390 students (150 males and 240 females) participated in the study, completing the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Statistical analysis using t-tests revealed that younger students (below 19 years) reported significantly higher happiness levels than older students, challenging previous studies suggesting a U-shaped happiness curve. Additionally, female students exhibited significantly higher happiness scores than males, contradicting existing research that often finds men to be happier. These findings highlight the complexity of happiness and suggest that contextual factors, such as academic environment and future aspirations, play a critical role. Further research is needed to explore additional social and psychological determinants of happiness.
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