International Journal of Happiness and Development (5 papers in press)

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• Open Access

  Subjective wellbeing and behavioural preferences: evidence from global survey data ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Karl Overdick, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve 
  Abstract: Previous work has shown that behavioural traits are key determinants of subjective wellbeing (SWB). We provide global evidence on the relationship between a set of behavioural preferences and SWB. Preferences measure behavioural traits based on both subjective and experimental data. We use the global preferences survey (GPS) and the Gallup World Poll (GWP) covering a globally representative population from 76 countries. Results indicate strong correlations between different measures of SWB and the set of preferences consisting of patience, risk taking, positive reciprocity, negative reciprocity, altruism and trust. The correlations tend to be positive suggesting that being more patient, risk taking, reciprocal, altruistic or trusting is beneficial for SWB. The coefficients are remarkably similar for the different regions of the world.
  Keywords: SWB; subjective wellbeing; preferences; Gallup data; regression analysis; globally representative data; life satisfaction; happiness; worry; sadness; patience; risk taking.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2025.10075274
   
  
• Nurturing psychological well-being through an online positive psychological intervention: a PERMA model approach  
  by Isabella Meneghel, Valeria Cruz-Ortíz, Marisa Salanova, Margarita Tarragona 
  Abstract: This study examines the effects of an online positive psychological intervention (OPPI) on psychological well-being, stress, and burnout levels in an international sample, using a randomised controlled trial design while controlling for initial resilience levels. After a six-week intervention based on the PERMA model (Seligman, 2011), participants showed increased psychological well-being and reduced burnout levels compared to the control group. No significant effects were found for stress and the exhaustion dimension of burnout. The interventions impact remained significant three months after completion of the program for two dimensions of burnout (i.e., cognitive and emotional impairment) and several aspects of psychological well-being (i.e., positive emotions, meaning, accomplishment, and happiness). Resilience emerged as a significant covariate for the relationship, meaning, and accomplishment dimensions. These findings inform practical applications of online PERMA-based interventions across workplaces, education, public health, and therapeutic settings, effectively emphasising structured support to enhance adherence, reduce burnout, and improve overall well-being.
  Keywords: OPPIs; online positive psychological interventions; PERMA model; psychological well-being; Pemberton happiness index; burnout; stress.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2025.10071801
   
  
• Organisational culture and positive psychological interventions: understanding the concept of positive organisational culture using a systematic review  
  by Antonio Ortiz-Vázquez, Susana Llorens, Marisa Salanova 
  Abstract: This study provides a systematic review of empirical research on organisational culture and positive psychological interventions in workplace from January 2000 to March 2024. A comprehensive search was conducted using four databases: PsycArticles, PsycInfo, ProQuest, and Business Sources Premier. The key topics were Organisational Culture, Positive Psychology, and Interventions. After screenings, 39 papers were selected for systematic content analysis. This study explores the relationship between managing organisational culture through positive psychological interventions and employee well-being. The findings suggest that organisations implementing Positive Psychological Interventions focus on enhancing their organisational culture, aiming for a more positive environment by improving psychological and social work conditions. These improvements lead to better task performance across sectors, including healthcare, industry, public service, education, and non-profits. Additionally, the review highlights the limited research on positive psychological interventions aimed at shaping organisational culture. It calls for further investigation into how these interventions influence employee wellbeing in workplace.
  Keywords: organisational culture; positive psychology; positive psychology intervention; culture; climate; systematic review; PRISMA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2025.10072423
   
  
• Time perspectives: exploring the nexus of life satisfaction, temporal focus, and individual pace of life  
  by Emel Mirza, Ayşen Edirneligil 
  Abstract: Time is a finite resource which can be utilised for production and consumption. How people utilise this vital resource in their daily activities is relevant in terms of its welfare consequences. The term pace of life refers to the varying speed at which an individual carries out their daily activities, and it can be an essential factor to consider when examining their overall life satisfaction. Although previous economic studies have addressed this variable at the country or regional level, very few studies have examined its impact at the individual level. Temporal focus, on the other hand shows the degree to which people focus their attention on the past, present or future. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the connections between the pace of life, temporal focus, and life satisfaction at the individual level. The findings indicate that the individual pace of life is a significant determinant of life satisfaction.
  Keywords: pace of life; time; temporal focus; well-being; life satisfaction; hierarchical regression.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2025.10074427
   
  
• The happiness of housewives: a review of research  
  by Shoirakhon Nurdinova, Ruut Veenhoven 
  Abstract: The happiness of housewives is a central issue in debates about womens emancipation. Feminists argue that full-time housewives are unhappy, while opponents contend that housewives are happier than working women, especially working mothers. Many women also question whether they would be happier as a full-time housewife or by working outside the home. Method: We review empirical research on this topic from the World Database of Happiness, which lists 49 scientific publications addressing the subject of housewife. Most of these studies use acceptable measures of happiness, yielding a total of 88 research findings. Results: Cross-sectional studies indicate that housewives are generally less happy than working women, but happier than other groups such as the self-employed, unemployed, and retired individuals in the same country. These differences vary considerably across time, place, and occupation. Longitudinal studies suggest that housewives are happier than working women over time.
  Keywords: happiness; research synthesis; housewife; working mother; review; quality of life; feminist economics; happiness studies.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2025.10075273