Abstract
This study aimed to identify possible conditions associated with the perception of happiness and satisfaction with life in a sample of the Brazilian population who use social networks. This was a cross-sectional study with participants recruited online in five regions of Brazil via Facebook and WhatsApp. Data were collected from October 2015 to October 2016. The instruments used were the Pemberton Happiness Index, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and issues potentially associated with the feeling of happiness. In total, 2,151 participants were included. A total of five variables exerted the greatest influence on higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with life in the multiple linear regression model, in the multiple logistic regression analysis, and in the decision tree model. Being satisfied with financial circumstances, having a positive self-evaluation of health, having frequent family gatherings, engaging in physical activity ≥ 3 times a week, and having no previous psychological/psychiatric diagnosis are variables that "seem" to positively influence Brazilians' perception of happiness and satisfaction with life. We identified some predictors of happiness and satisfaction with life, which were mainly related to the social activities and personal satisfaction of the participating individuals. Encouraging people to seek strategies for increasing levels of happiness and life satisfaction based on modifiable variables, such as those found, can be helpful in this context.
Highlights
Regardless of how happiness is understood, it is a desire of every human being, and, it can be considered the primary goal of life; humans have tried many paths to achieve it 1
The majority resided in the Southeast region of the country (n = 989; 46%) and lived in urban areas (n = 2,096; 97.4%)
We found a set of variables that positively influence the feeling of happiness and satisfaction with life, including satisfaction with financial circumstances, self-assessed health, previous psychological/psychiatric diagnosis, frequency of family gatherings, and engagement in physical activity
Summary
Regardless of how happiness is understood, it is a desire of every human being, and, it can be considered the primary goal of life; humans have tried many paths to achieve it 1. Happiness is a multidimensional and complex construct, mainly because it is a subjective individual experience. It is challenging to compare data on happiness and its multidimensional measures between different cultures and specific populations 8. Happiness is closely associated with emotions, feelings, and moods, whereas satisfaction with life is associated with cognitive assessments and judgments about life, which may include assessments of many areas of life 10. Whereas happiness and satisfaction with life are closely related constructs, they must be evaluated as independent variables. The terms happiness and well-being/subjective well-being will be considered synonyms for better understanding and interpretation
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