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Journal of social sciences and Economics
Vol. 1(1),2022; 13-20
ISSN (Online) 2958-1532
https://finessepublishing.com/jsse
13
Life Satisfaction: The Role of Happiness and Optimism Among Young
Adults
Kavya. Ka, Sannet Thomasb
a. M Sc Psychology Student, Yuvakshetra Institute of Management Studies, Mundur, Palakkad, Kerala,
Pin: 678631
b. Former Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Yuvakshetra Institute of Management
Studies, Mundur, Palakkad, Kerala, Pin: 678631
Abstract: The concept of life satisfaction (LS) refers to how people express their emotions, sentiments (moods),
and perspectives on their foreseeable futures (Ritter, 2003). A typical definition of optimism is the propensity
to hope for the best and see the positive side of situations (Schneider & Carver, 1985). Happiness is described
as the perception of advancing toward important life objectives and having good emotional feelings more
frequently than unhappy ones (Tkach & Lyubomirsky, 2006). This study attempted to assess young persons'
levels of life satisfaction, optimism, and happiness. Methods: Through the use of purposive sampling
approaches, the study involved 120 young individuals between the ages of 18 and 24, 60 of whom were female
and 60 of whom were male. Data were gathered using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (Michael Agryel
& Peter Hills 2002), Life Orientation Test (Carver, 2013), and Satisfaction With Life Scales (Dinner, Emmons,
Larsen & Griffin in 1985). The one-way ANOVA, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson product-moment
correlation were used to evaluate the data. Result: The study's findings indicate that young people' levels of
life satisfaction, optimism, and happiness are similar regardless of gender. Happiness and life satisfaction
among young adults have a substantial positive correlation, while optimism and life satisfaction among
young adults also have a large positive correlation.
Key Words: Life Satisfaction, Optimism, Happiness
1. Introduction
Life satisfaction (LS) is a term used to describe how people communicate their feelings, sentiments (moods),
and perspectives on their potential futures (Ritter, 2003). However, personal happiness is a highly personalised
emotion that is influenced by each person's own life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values
(Haybron,2013). Although pleasure that exists when we focus on the present moment is happiness that exists
when we focus on the present moment, contentment with life is happiness that comes when we focus on the
big picture of our lives (Snyder, Lopez & Pedrotti, 2010). We view it as relevant since it is based on our cognitive
evaluations. Each individual experiences happiness differently, and it can be challenging to describe it since
what makes one person happy may not make another person happy (Laengle & Wurm, 2016). A condition of
mind is life contentment. It is a kind of evaluative assessment. This expression refers to both "contentment" and
"enjoyment." It therefore includes both cognitive and emotional evaluations. Life satisfaction might come and
go, but it can also remain over time. Life satisfaction is characterized as a person's level of optimism towards
the overall quality of his or her life. Another way to say it is, "How much money does the man make and do
you enjoy the life he/she leads?" (Swayam ,2011).
Typically, optimism is defined as a way of thinking that expects the best and views things positively (Schneider
& Carver ,1985). The broad conviction that one will often experience positive rather than negative experiences
in life is what is meant by optimism (Carver,1985). Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between
optimism and pessimism and life happiness (Sirgy, 2012). A manner of being, feeling, and doing that
encourages individuals to reach their objectives and feel good about themselves is optimism (Lightman, 2004).
One trait that all optimistic individuals share is their ability to rapidly refocus their attention from negative
situations or occurrences to the things in their lives that make them happy and joyful (Rizzo, 2015). There are
1
more ways that optimism may be beneficial.
1
[Received 17 Oct 2022; Accepted 28 Dec 2022; Published (online) 31 Dec 2022]
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Corresponding email: trainingsupervision@gmail.com
Life Satisfaction: The Role of Happiness and Optimism Among Young Adults
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First of all, it frequently improves mood, preventing anxiety and sadness.
Second, it promotes perseverance in the face of challenges, which may lead to greater achievement (Christensen,
Martin & Smyth, 2004). Pessimists are persons who doubt their ability to accomplish worthwhile goals,
discourage others, and foresee only negative outcomes (Gruman, Schneider & Coutts, 2016).
Pessimism also makes it harder to achieve goals, causes more stress, and harms or ends relationships. In
addition, whereas optimists perceive opportunities among challenges, pessimists generally see hurdles amid
opportunities (Luke, 2009). Happiness, also known as subjective well-being in psychology, is a state of
emotional well-being that a person might feel at a specific moment when lovely things happen, or in a more
general sense when they feel good about their lives and accomplishments as a whole. Happiness (like sorrow,
fear, and fury) and other positive emotions may discern between good and harmful emotions (such as affection,
excitement, and interest). This emotion typically occurs coupled with one specific facial expression, the grin.
Happiness is defined as the positive feelings we experience when engaging in pleasurable everyday activities.
All of these positive feelings contribute to our happiness, including pleasure, consolation, gratitude, hope, and
inspiration. The core tenet of positive psychology is the idea of happiness. The perception of making progress
toward important life goals and experiencing more happy emotional experiences than negative ones are the
two criteria for happiness (Tkach & Lyubomirsky, 2006).
2. Definitions of key terms
Life satisfaction (LS) is the process by which people communicate their feelings, sentiments (moods), and
perspectives about their potential futures (Ritter,2003).
Typically, optimism is defined as a way of thinking that expects the best and views things positively (Schneider
& Carver ,1985).
Happiness is described as having more positive feelings than negative feelings and believing that one is making
progress toward important life goals (Tkach & Lyubomirsky, 2006).
3. Relevance of the study/Rationale
This study aims to investigate, evaluate, and document the link between optimism and life satisfaction. It takes
fulfillment to live and enjoy a healthy life. The society will gain from this study's illumination of the relationship
between young people' optimism, happiness, and life satisfaction. The researcher found that there has been
little research done in this area and that there is a research gap on this issue after reviewing the literature. As a
result, the researcher is making an effort to do study on this subject with the intention of enhancing the quality
of life and wellbeing of society.
4. Review of Literature
College students' levels of stress and life satisfaction were evaluated by Civitci (2015). According to the findings,
a college student's sense of belonging is particularly crucial for reducing stress and enhancing life happiness.
Lin (2010) evaluated the association between optimism and life satisfaction for patients waiting or not waiting
for kidney transplantation. The findings showed that everyone had good optimism, which was strongly
correlated with their level of life happiness.
A study on the prediction of happiness based on family communication patterns with resilience as a mediating
factor was undertaken by F. Khormaee and AB. Akbari in 2015. 186 high school students from Shiraz city (95
females and 91 men) were chosen as participants using the multi-stage cluster sampling approach. Data were
gathered using the Family Communication Patterns Scale (Koerner & Fitzpatrik, 2002), the Resilience Scale
(Conner & Davidson, 2003), and the Oxford Happiness Scale (Hills & Argyle, 2001). The findings indicated a
strong connection between family communication styles, resilience, and happiness.
5. Methods
5.1 Problem
Do young adults' levels of life satisfaction, optimism, and happiness change significantly depending on their
gender, and how do happiness and optimism relate to life satisfaction?
5.2 Aim
To investigate the degree of life satisfaction, optimism, and happiness among young adult across their gender
and the link between the variables.
Journal of social sciences and Economics
Vol. 1(1),2022; 13-20
ISSN (Online) 2958-1532
https://finessepublishing.com/jsse
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5.3 Objectives
1. To investigate the link between optimism and life satisfaction in young adults.
2. To investigate the link between young people' happiness and life satisfaction.
3. To research the link between youthful optimism and contentment.
4. To comprehend the variations in life satisfaction, optimism, and happiness among young people of both sexes.
5.4 Variables
5.5 Independent Variable: Gender
5.6 Dependent Variables: Life satisfaction, Optimism, and Happiness.
5.7 Hypothesis
1. Young adults of various genders will not have significantly varied levels of life satisfaction.
2. Young adults of various genders won't have much of a difference in their optimism.
3. Young adults of different genders will not be significantly happier than each other.
4. Happiness and optimism among young adults will not significantly correlate.
5. Among young individuals, there won't be a meaningful connection between happiness and life satisfaction.
6. Young people' optimism and life satisfaction will not be significantly correlated.
6. RESEARCH DESIGN
A between-group research design was used in this quantitative study to examine gender differences in the
variables and see whether there was a relationship between life satisfaction and optimism in young people.
6.1 Research sample
The study used a type of deliberate sampling. 120 young people between the ages of 18 and 24 from various
districts in Kerala made up the study sample, 60 of whom were female and 60 of whom were male. Regarding
gender, religion, family structure, and place of residence, the sample is representative of a wide variety.
6.2 Sampling criteria
Inclusion standards
1. Only individuals from Kerala were included.
2. The age range is 18 to 24.
3. People who have consented.
Exclusion standards
1. Participants who weren't from Kerala were barred.
2. Age range outside of 18 to 24 years.
3. Disqualified those with psychological issues.
4. People who have not consented
7. Tools
The following tools were administered individually to collect required data.
7.1 Personal data sheet
It includes the participants' names, ages, genders, dates of birth, marital statuses, types of families, and
occupations.
7.2 The Life Orientation Test(LOT-R)
LOT-R was used to assess participants' optimism levels (Carver, 2013). It contrasts optimism and pessimism on
a 10-item scale. Four were filler questions, while three rated optimism and three pessimism. This scale was
developed by Carver in 2013.
Validity and Reliability: The LOT-R has good internal consistency and is very stable over time (Cronbach's
Alpha values vary from high 0.70s to low 0.80s). Scheier, Carver, and Bridges discover an internal reliability
coefficient of 0.78 for a sample of undergraduates. Equivalent internal reliability of the sample. The 10 items
were rated on a 5-point likert scale (0 = I strongly disagree, 1 = I slightly disagree, 2 = I neither agree nor disagree,
3 = I somewhat agree, and 4 = I definitely agree). Higher scores indicated more optimism, or a predisposition
to expect more positive than negative occurrences.
Life Satisfaction: The Role of Happiness and Optimism Among Young Adults
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7.3 The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)
SWLS was created to gauge respondent satisfaction with their life as a whole. Dinner, Emmons, Larsen, and
Griffin created this scale in 1985. There were 5 remarks on life pleasure in it. one set in the past, one in the
future, and three set in the present.
Validity and Reliability Cronbach's alpha and inter-item correlations were used to analyze the scale's
reliability (internal consistency). Good internal consistency was found in the reliability analysis of the scale ( =
0.74). The SWLS has strong construct validity and internal consistency, according to research by Mariana
López-Ortega, Sara Torres-Castro, and Oscar Rosas-Carrasco from 2016.
This measure's Cronbach's Alpha was 0.878, which indicates strong internal reliability and validity. Scoring: A
7 point Likert scale was used to grade the five items, with 7 being the strongest agreement and 1 being the
strongest disagreement. In order to calculate the participant's overall level of life satisfaction, the responses
were summed together. Higher scores represented a higher level of life satisfaction.
7.4 Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ)
A more accurate method of evaluating happiness is the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), which was
created from the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI). The 29 questions that make up the OHI have been utilized
in research, and it has been demonstrated that they have excellent psychometric properties and are typically
consistent across cultures and nations.
8. Procedure
After the research's goal was explained to the participants online, it was assessed whether or not they were
willing to participate in the study. The sample was provided with the sociodemographic data sheet, the
Satisfaction With Life Scale (1985), the Life Orientation Test (2013), and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire
(2002) over the internet with the appropriate instructions for each. The participants were asked for their
opinions. The manual's instructions were followed for scoring the three assessments.
8.1 Statistical Analysis
The data was evaluated using the following statistical tests. The statistical analysis was completed using SPSS
version 20 (Statistical Program for Social Science).
1. The mean and standard deviation.
2. One route ANOVA
3. Correlation of Pearson's Product Moments.
8.2 Ethical concerns
1. The collected data has only been utilized for research purposes.
2. Informed permission of each and every participant was collected.
3. Throughout the course of the study, confidentiality and the information gathered have been upheld.
8.3 Ethical concerns
The study's primary goal is to look at young individuals' levels of life satisfaction, optimism, and happiness.
Seven hypotheses were developed by the investigator for this reason. The results are displayed in the table
below.
Table 1, Mean, standard deviation and standard errors on life satisfaction, optimism and happiness in young
adults of different genders.
N M Std D
Life
satisfaction
Male 60 16.6667 5.82125
Female 60 15.7167 5.39960
Total 120 16.1917 5.61106
Optimism
Male 60 35.2500 4.65642
Journal of social sciences and Economics
Vol. 1(1),2022; 13-20
ISSN (Online) 2958-1532
https://finessepublishing.com/jsse
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Female 60 36.26667 4.30162
Total 120 35.7583 4.49275
Happiness
Male 60 119.0667 16.69656
Female 60 123.1667 15.53254
Total 120 121.1167 16.18859
Table 1 shows the average and standard deviation for men and women in terms of contentment,
optimism, and life satisfaction. Men and women rate their overall life happiness at 16.667 and 15.7167,
respectively. According to the research, males are happier with their life than women are. Men and
women score on optimism on average at 35.2500 and 36.26667, respectively. The results show that
women are more upbeat than males. Men and women score on the happiness scale, respectively, at
119.0667 and 123.1667. According to the study, women experience greater levels of happiness than men
do.
Table 2 shows the one way ANOVA on Life Satisfaction, Optimism and Happiness in young adults of
different genders.
SS df MS F Sig
Life
satisfaction
Between 27.075 1 27.075 .859 .356
Group
Within 3719.571 118 31.521
Group
Total 3746.592 119
Optimism
Between 31.008 1 31.008 1.543 .217
Group
Within 2370.983 118 20.093
group
Total 2401.9992 119
Happiness
Between 504.300 1 504.300 1.939 .166
Group
Within 30682.067 118
Group
Total 31186.367 119
With the use of one way ANOVA, these hypotheses were examined.
According to null hypothesis 1, young adults of various genders will not have significantly different levels of
life satisfaction. The outcome indicates that the Sig. value is.356, which is higher than 0.05. The null hypothesis
is thus accepted.
Life Satisfaction: The Role of Happiness and Optimism Among Young Adults
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According to null hypothesis 2, there won't be a discernible difference in the level of optimism among young
people of various genders. The outcome indicates that the Sig. value is.217, which is higher than 0.05. The null
hypothesis is thus accepted.
According to null hypothesis 3, there won't be a significant difference in young adults' levels of happiness based
on their gender. The outcome indicates that the Sig. value is.166, which is higher than 0.05. The null hypothesis
is thus accepted.
Table 3 shows the correlation co-efficient value in life satisfaction, optimism and happiness
Optimism .Life satisfaction Happiness
Optimism
Pearson 1 - .256** .217*
Correlation
Sig.(2-tailed) 0.05 .017
N 120 120 120
Life
satisfaction
Pearson
Correlation -.256** -.357**
Sig.(2-tailed) 0.05 0.000
N 120 120 120
Happiness
Pearson -.217* -.357** 1
Correlation
Sig.(2-tailed) .017 .000
N 120 120 120
With the help of the Pearson correlation coefficient, this theory was verified. The correlation coefficient
between optimism and life satisfaction is -.256, and the corresponding significant value is 0.05, which is
significant, according to the findings. As a result, hypothesis 4 is disproved. Young folks' life satisfaction and
optimism are significantly correlated. According to the findings, there is a -.357 correlation co-efficient
between life satisfaction and happiness, with a significant value of 0.000 at the 0.05 level of significance. As a
result, hypothesis 5 is disproved. Among young individuals, Happiness and life satisfaction are significantly
correlated. The outcome indicates that optimism and happiness have a negative correlation co-efficient of
-.217, with a significant value value of 0.017 at the 0.05 level of significance. As a result, hypothesis 6 is
disproved. Among young individuals, there is a considerable connection between optimism and happiness.
9. Summary and Conclusion
Life satisfaction is defined as the manner in which people communicate their sentiments, emotions, and
perspectives on their future prospects (LS). The tendency to expect the best and see the bright side of things is
a common expression of optimism. The existence of more positive than negative affective sensations, as well as
the conviction that one is making progress toward important life objectives, are what constitute happiness. The
purpose of the study was to determine how content, upbeat, and happy young individuals are with their life.
In this investigation, a purposeful sampling technique was adopted. Out of 120 participants, there were 60
males and 60 women that made up the study's sample. The population was evenly represented in the sample.
Utilizing was used to administrate to the subjects. Sociodemographic information, the Life Orientation Test
(Carver, 2013), the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and the Satisfaction With Life Scales (Dinner, Emmons,
Larsen & Griffin, 1985) (MichaelAgryel&PeterHills2002). One-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were
used for the data analysis.
Journal of social sciences and Economics
Vol. 1(1),2022; 13-20
ISSN (Online) 2958-1532
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10. Major Findings
1. Young adults of various genders have significantly diverse levels of life satisfaction.
2. Young people of various genders have markedly varying levels of optimism.
3. Young people' levels of happiness differ significantly.
4. Optimism and life satisfaction among young individuals differ significantly.
5. Men and women have the same level of life pleasure.
6. Men and women exhibit the same levels of optimism.
7. Men and women have the same levels of happiness.
8. Among young people of various genders, there is a significant variation in happiness and optimism.
9. Life satisfaction and optimism among young individuals are negatively correlated.
10. Happiness and life satisfaction among young adults are negatively correlated..
10.1 Limitations of the study
• The study's sample size is insufficient.
• The approach used was a questionnaire schedule, which has its own drawbacks.
• The study is conducted for a brief period of time.
• There are certain limitations on time and other resources.
10.2 SCOPE FOR THE STUDY
It is possible to do more study on a broader population across several factors.
This study might be performed in many cultures to look at how the correlates of life happiness vary between
them.
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