Association of self-reported happiness with sociodemographic factors and personal habits amongst students in a university in Karachi.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the association of happiness with sociodemographic factors and personal habits among university students in Karachi, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bahria University (BU), Karachi, from January 2012 till December 2013 on 813 students. There was a significant positive relationship between happiness and having a well-off family background (p value<0.001), having breakfast (p value=0.021), wearing a seat belt (p value=0.005) and getting regular dental check-ups (p value<0.001). We also found a significant negative association between happiness and the use of tobacco (p value=0.048), being on a weight loss diet (p value=0.048) and being married (p value=0.043). Hence, behaviours such as smoking and following unhealthy weight loss diets are proven to be associated negatively with a person's state of happiness and should be discouraged; while healthy behaviours such as having breakfast and getting dental check-ups should be encouraged.