International Journal of Happiness and Development (7 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Happiness as an Unmet Reality in Pakistan: Discourses of Divorced & Separated Individuals  
  by Saira Batool, Rabia Ali 
  Abstract: This research paper highlights the dilemmas associated with the social construction of marriage versus the ideation of marriage as a modern symbol of unity in contemporary Pakistan. The paper draws on the narratives of sixteen divorced and separated men/women. These findings reveal that women experience marriage differently compared to men. Marital happiness for women is attained in their willingness to act in subordinate and submissive roles due to the hegemonic masculinity of men. The marriage contract in Pakistani society gives an upper hand to men and women are expected to be obedient and respectful. In this study, based on their personal experiences all divorced and separated women considered happiness in marriage merely a temporary situation. Defying the patterns of obedience had led to unhappiness and dissatisfaction in their marital relationships. The major problem had been the inability to accept the ground realities of marriage in its practical form in contrast to their perception of marriage as a romantic and happy relationship. When the ground realities didnt meet their expectations; their relations came to an end leading to social stigma and emotional dilemmas. These findings suggest the need to rethink marriage as a complex and evolving institution in contemporary Pakistan.
  Keywords: Happiness; Divorce; Separation; Marriage; Imagination; Qualitative Methods.
  
  
• Happiness in Kazakhstan  
  by Sholpan Jamanbalayeva, Shyryn Tlenchiyeva 
  Abstract: The average happiness in Kazakhstan is 6.6 on a scale of 0 to 10, which is in the mid-range of the countries happiness ranking. Average happiness rose in Kazakhstan in the 2010s, but in 2009 and 2016, there was a decline in the countrys happiness level. Possible reasons are discussed. Kazakhstanis experience low cognitive satisfaction with much higher levels of emotional well-being, which is also characteristic of developing post-Soviet countries. The inequality of happiness measured by the standard deviation in Kazakhstan is relatively high. According to this indicator, the country is in the mid-range in the ranking list. The correlates of happiness in Kazakhstan in several parameters differ from the pattern usually observed in developed countries and reflect those typical for developing countries of the post-Soviet space.
  Keywords: life satisfaction; world ranking; comparative analysis; trend; post-soviet space; correlation; happiness; subjective well-being.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2023.10061101
   
  
• Happiness in Romania  
  by Sergiu Bălțătescu 
  Abstract: Eastern European country, member of European Union, Romania has left behind the communist experience and consolidated its option for a free society. Data available in World Database of Happiness (WDH) show a steady increase in happiness levels after 1990. As a result, in the 2010s is ranking 50th among the 160 countries included, and 25th in Europe. Inequality of happiness is very high in Romania (ranking 125th) and stays relatively stable in the last 20 years. Structure of happiness, with an average level of contentment and comparative higher levels of affect, is typical for Eastern Europe, as is the situation with some of its correlates: happiness is steadily decreasing with age, men are slightly happier than women and membership in voluntary organisations makes no difference in happiness. Correlations of happiness with education, income and self-rated social rank grew stronger in the last 30 years, suggesting a trend towards convergence with Western European societies.
  Keywords: eastern-European countries; post-communist transition; life-satisfaction; world ranking; trend; correlations.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2023.10061341
   
  
• Happiness in Turkey  
  by Melodi Buket Kanlıoğlu 
  Abstract: Happiness can be defined as the overall appreciation of ones life as a whole average happiness in Turkey was 6.0 on scale 010 over the years 20102019. As such Turkey ranked 94 out of 164 countries. With an average Happy Life Years of 44.4, Turkey ranked 88th in the world. When considering inequality in happiness, that is how citizens differ in enjoyment of their life-asa-whole, Turkey was ranked 63rd out of 164 countries between 20102019. Although Turkey has grown economically over the past 20 years, average happiness has not increased in Turkey as much as it has in developed countries. Average happiness decreased in crises years in Turkey. Inequality of happiness is relatively high in Turkey, but has decline slightly since 1990. Turkish people gained 7.1 Happy Life Years since 1990.Considering the correlates happiness, it has been observed that gender, marital status, educational status, income, self-rated social status and memberships are all positively correlated with happiness among Turkish citizens.
  Keywords: life-satisfaction; world ranking; trend; cross-national; Turkey; happiness; inequality; contentment; well-being; correlates of happiness.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2024.10062249
   
  
• Income and happiness: a study of a panel of US residents  
  by Ling Zhang, Sajal Lahiri 
  Abstract: Can money buy happiness? Does the marginal effect of income on happiness of an average change over time? Does the change in income of an average individual increase their happiness over time? These are the main research questions that this paper attempts to answer using a longitudinal dataset for US residents, viz., panel study of income dynamic (PSID), for the years 2019, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017. The main methodology we use is Ordered-Logit regressions. We find reasonably strong evidence of an yes answer to all three questions. Our results pass a number of robustness checks.
  Keywords: Easterlin Paradox; happiness; income; ordered-logit regression; PSID data; longitudinal study.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2024.10062250
   
  
• Impact of income on life satisfaction in India: a generalised ordered probit model approach  
  by Neeraj Kumar, P. Mahendra Varman 
  Abstract: The present study examines the impact of Net state domestic product (NSDP), absolute income, relative income, and income inequality on the life satisfaction of the people in India. The current study identified that an asymmetric income effect in the Indian context, i.e., an increase in income has a positive impact on those who currently reported lower levels of satisfaction. However, the relationship between an increase in income and life satisfaction is weak for those who currently reported higher levels of satisfaction. The results of the study support the existence of the Easterlin paradox in the context of India. Furthermore, the results emphasise the relative importance of absolute income compared to relative income. Although both factors hold significance, their combined impact on life satisfaction is not markedly stronger. The relationship between life satisfaction and income inequality is not identical as we move from a lower level to a higher level of life satisfaction.
  Keywords: subjective well-being; life satisfaction; net state domestic product per capita; relative income; income inequality; generalised ordered probit.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2024.10062842
   
  
• Happiness in India  
  by Mahmudul Hasan Laskar 
  Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present basic facts on happiness in India and to provide a format for periodical reports on happiness in the nation. Happiness defined as the subjective satisfaction with ones life as a whole. In this descriptive paper I present the available research findings on India with respect to: 1) average happiness; 2) inequality of happiness; and 3) happy lifeyears. I consider a) the current level of the aspect of happiness in India as well as b) their development over time. Next to the absolute level of happiness in India, I consider the difference relative to other countries. Data are taken from the World Database of Happiness. Links to these online findings archive provide detail about sampling and measurement. Average happiness in India appears to be mediocre and has declined recently. Inequality of happiness is relatively high in India and has increased recently. Still, Indians came to live longer and happier and gained 27 more happy life years since 1962. With the present number of 41.7 happy life years India still lags behind developed nations where that number is around 60.
  Keywords: happiness; quality of life; livability; cross national; trend over time; societal development.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2024.10063728