A Study on the Relationship Between Happiness and Health Behaviors in Adolescents: Shahrekord ۲۰۱۹

Background and aims: Recently, positive psychology has received increasing importance, and research has shown that higher levels of happiness reduce the risk of mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between happiness and health behaviors in adolescents in Shahrekord. Methods: In this cross-sectional-analytical study conducted in ۲۰۱۸-۲۰۱۹, ۴۲۸ first and second cycle secondary school students were enrolled and filled out the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and Health Behavior Questionnaire. Then, data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The mean age of the participants was ۱۵.۴۲ ± ۱.۵۹ (range: ۱۲-۱۸) years, and ۱۵۸ (۳۶.۹%) of them were boys. The mean score of happiness was ۴۸.۳۴ ± ۱۸.۹۸ out of ۸۷ (range: ۰-۸۷), which is high. The mean score of health behaviors was calculated to be ۱۲.۲۱ ± ۱.۶۶ out of ۱۶ (range: ۸-۱۶), which is moderate. In addition, the mean happiness score was significantly associated with gender (P = ۰.۰۰۱), education level (P = ۰.۰۱), family income (P = ۰.۰۰۱), living status with parents (P = ۰.۰۱۵), and personal estimate of happiness status (P = ۰.۰۰۱). Moreover, the mean score of health behaviors had a significant association with gender, educational district, education level, parents’ education level, birth order, income, and personal estimate of happiness (P < ۰.۰۵). Further, scores on happiness and health behaviors were positively correlated with each other (r = ۰.۳۹۱, P = ۰.۰۰۱) and negatively correlated with age (r = -۰.۱۳۹, P = ۰.۰۰۴). Conclusion: The levels of happiness among adolescent students were relatively good, their levels of health behaviors were moderate, and both of them were associated with each other and with demographic and socioeconomic variables. Accordingly, happiness should be promoted in society, particularly in students, to achieve a higher level of health-promoting behaviors.