Experience Of Happiness Research Articles

Does Culture Strengthen or Break Organization? Revisiting Organizational Culture’s Roles in Organizational Social Life

As a collection of individuals who work together to achieve organizational goals, the organization urgently needs glue which attaches all members. Existing studies find that organizational culture can be a means to provoke collectivism climate for influencing organizational performance. The study aims to examine the potential capacity of organizational rituals of arisan and picnic in evoking organizational social cohesion, from the perspective of organizational members. Furthermore, it aims to explore the other possible functions of organizational culture. The data are collected from co-reflection by using certain reflection guidance. The study finds that organizational arisan or picnic can potentially benefit members. It provides opportunities for members to share happy moments, face challenging activities together, forget their conflict and replace it with new happy experiences. However, this ritual does not always bring genuine happiness. It may keep silent storm of emotion as the ritual can exert social pressure, display dominant social status, reinforce power of giving which acquire needs to get back (return the kindness). The study also reveals the emergent co-rituals which are created or joined by in-group members. Co-exist rituals allow members to fit their individual-group dimensions with less social pressure, build stronger emotional bond and support. However, this too strong emotional tie may ignite inter-group conflict and high competition with other groups.

‘나다움’을 찾아가는 과정에서 겪는 의복행동의 교육적 경험에 관한 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore the experience process of learners who complete ‘myself’ and to reveal that the aesthetic experience sensed by learners in the process is an educational experience that helps the individual’s qualitative growth. Methods First, we explore clothing behavior as a process of finding ‘myself’ through theoretical consideration of John Dewey’s experiential philosophy of ‘an experience’ and educational experience. Second, by describing, analyzing, and interpreting clothing behavior based on ‘one experience,’ it helps understand the aesthetic experience for true clothing behavior that reveals ‘myself.’ Third, by revealing that the aesthetic experience of clothing behavior is what Dewey calls ‘an experience,’ we explore how the learner’s experiential process of completing his or her self through clothing behavior, which is interpreted as ‘an experience,’ is reborn as an educational experience. Results Educational experience as a clothing behavior is ‘an experience’ that promotes the overall and continuous growth and development of humans by not only promoting the process of understanding one’s identity but also immersing oneself in the process of discovering ‘myself.’ Conclusions By revealing that clothing behavior interpreted in light of Dewey's ‘an experience’ is an educational experience for discovering ‘myeself’, it differs from the conventional view that interprets clothing behavior as pursuing external beauty by focusing only on physical appearance. Provides an alternative logic for approach. It is meaningful in attempting to establish a basis for an educational approach to clothing behavior as self-discovery in pursuit of a happy experience of change.

Personal Competence or Environmental Characteristics? Factors Influencing Happiness among Ageing Adults in Hong Kong Around the Period of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Drawing upon person-environment fit perspective, this study examines the joint and interactive influences of personal competence and environmental characteristics on the happiness of ageing adults around the period of COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected in two rounds, before and during the pandemic, with 2,028 participants aged 55 years and older in Hong Kong. Personal competence encompassed financial status, physical health, and mental capital, while environmental characteristics included experiences of ageism, perceived social conditions, and age-friendly policies. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine personal and environmental influences on happiness. Results indicated a significant decline in happiness following the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. Mental capital was found to have the strongest positive influence on happiness, followed by physical health, financial status, and social conditions. Mental capital mitigated the negative relationship between experiences of ageism and happiness. Practical interventions are informed to improve the well-being of ageing adults during pandemic.

Deciphering temporal perspectives: A key to happiness and optimism for healthy aging in nursing practices”

BackgroundWith the global population of older individuals increasing rapidly, it is important to understand the factors contributing to their well-being. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between older adults' time perspective and their experiences of happiness and optimism. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on a substantial sample size of 300 older adults from January to March 2023. The study utilized reliable and validated measures, including the Short Version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and the Arabic Scales of Happiness, Optimism, and Pessimism. ResultsThe study found that older adults with a negative view of the past (PN perspective) had lower levels of happiness (r=-0.374, p<0.01), while those with a hedonistic view of the present (PH perspective) had higher levels of happiness (r=0.266, p<0.01). Additionally, a fatalistic view of the present (PF perspective) was associated with lower levels of happiness (r=-0.178, p<0.05) and optimism (r=-0.168, p<0.05). Negative views of the future (FN perspective) were correlated with lower happiness levels (r=-0.546, p<0.01), while positive views of the future (FP perspective) were associated with higher levels of optimism (r=0.432, p<0.01). ConclusionOlder adults with a balanced time perspective, marked by positive and negative views of the past and an optimistic outlook on the future, reported moderate happiness and optimism. Older adults with a negative view of the past and a fatalistic view of the present tend to have lower levels of happiness and optimism. On the other hand, those who have a hedonistic view of the present and a positive view of the future tend to have higher levels of happiness and optimism. Older adults with a pessimistic outlook toward past experiences or the future may require additional emotional support and targeted interventions to foster a more positive mindset.

Self-compassion and post-traumatic stress disorder in the military experience of veterans

Purpose. The article provides an analytical review of the problem of self-compassion and psychological features of stress disorder in military personnel who have military life experience. Methods. To ensure the realization of the research goal, we involved the methods of scientific and theoretical study: analysis, synthesis, generalization, abstraction, thanks to which it was possible to find out the meaningful and functional purpose and combination of the analyzed phenomena. Results. The theoretical analysis of the thematic scientific and psychological literature on the problems of self-compassion and post-traumatic stress disorder gave reasons to assert the existence of close correlations between them. Self-compassion as one of the basic constructs of self-awareness of veteran combatants who are negatively affected by post-traumatic stress symptoms, together with other psychotechniques of self-support, usually plays a positive psychoprotective, rehabilitative and generally revitalizing and life-affirming function. Conclusions. Self-compassion expresses a person's desire to achieve psychological well-being and, together with self-esteem, self-acceptance, self-approval, self-affirmation, etc., attests to the formation of an important mechanism for holistic self-awareness of a person. Self-compassion allows you to reduce the feeling of guilt associated with the traumatic experience of the past, makes it possible to resist fatigue and burnout, provides the experience of subjective happiness, and serves as a guarantee of maintaining the mental health of military veterans. In general, self-compassion can have a relaxing effect on harmonizing the disturbed affectivity of a person with military experience and significantly optimize recovery after traumatic exposure and the consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Psychological Well-being and the Structure of the teacher’s Agency

Introduction. In positive psychology, psychological well-being is associated with personal resources that ensure creative processes and positive changes in a person’s life and activities. Considering agency as the main professional and personal resource of a teacher for positive transformations in modern education, we assume that agency acts as such a resource provided that the teacher perceives himself as a psychologically prosperous person. Psychological well-being in the study is considered within the framework of the PERMA model and represents the teacher’s self-representation of the main resources of positive functioning (positive emotions, involvement in relationship activities, meaning and achievement in activities) and his experience of happiness and life satisfaction. The purpose of the study is to study the characteristics of the psychological well-being of a modern teacher and the relationship between the components of well-being and the structure of the teacher’s agency.Materials and Methods. The severity of the components of teachers’ subjectivity was studied using the “Structure of agency” questionnaire (E. N. Volkova, I. A. Seregina). To study psychological wellbeing, the Russian version of the PERMA-Profiler questionnaire was used (O. M. Isaeva, A. Yu. Akimova, E. N. Volkova). 447 people participated in the study, of which 376 people. (84.1 %) – women, 71 people. (15.9 %) – men. The average age of study participants was 37.2 years (standard deviation SD=12.5). Work experience – from 1 year to 47 years.Results. The results of the study showed that the general level of well-being, as well as the values of the main components of well-being among modern teachers, is in the range of average values, however, all components of psychological well-being are expressed among teachers to a lesser extent than among representatives of other professional groups and in general among respondents of the Russian sample. Stratification variables that influence the psychological well-being of school teachers are the characteristics of age, work experience, and qualification category. The psychological wellbeing of teachers corresponds to older age, decreased work experience, and a low qualification category (or lack thereof). Psychologically well-off teachers are characterized by a balanced structure of agency, which presupposes uniform and high expression of all its components. Among the components of agency, psychological well-being is most determined by the teacher’s ability to make personal choice and the development of reflection.Discussion and Conclusions. The teacher’s psychological well-being can be considered as a characteristic of his/her professional socialization connected with the level of students' well-being. The actual level of teacher’s psychological well-being is lower than in the general Russian sample and in the sample of other professional pedagogical groups - preschool teachers. The low level of the teacher's psychological well-being can hinder the teacher's professional development. The teacher's psychological well-being is correlated with the teacher’s agency, in particular, with the teacher's activity, choices and responsibility, reflection. A balanced structure of agency is correlated the psychological well-being of teachers and the understanding another person is expressed to a significant extent.

Margaret’s recovery way in Jacqueline Woodson’s Last Summer with Maizon: father death and writing opportunity

The study represents Margaret’s struggle to overcome the experience of grief in Last Summer with Maizon by Jacqueline Woodson. The study adopted a qualitative content analysis (QCA) approach to reveal the true meaning of the experience of grief, conveying a new interpretation of Margaret’s life, which is a way of recovering herself from grief. This approach also conducted the process of subjectivity by developing the quality of themes regarding Margaret’s grief struggle using the five phases of thematic analysis. The results of this study consist of discoveries and critical analysis regarding the issue of Margaret’s grief experience, which develops a sure way to get through it. The research findings section describes the initial signs leading up to the experience of grief faced by Margaret. Meanwhile, the critical analysis section describes the struggle to continue living without Margaret’s loved ones, the struggle to find a way to write creatively to express her grief, and unexpected happy experiences when Margaret uses writing as proof that she has overcome grief with all her might.

Meta-analytic structural equation modeling for exploring workplace friendship, well-being, and organizational commitment

BACKGROUND: Workplace friendships, which are informal relationships in the workplace, foster mutual trust, assistance, and emotional support and create a sense of belonging among coworkers. Employees with positive perceptions of their job responsibilities, psychological needs, and work environment experience happiness, satisfaction, and an overall sense of well-being. A heightened sense of well-being in the workplace positively affects employee satisfaction with job tasks and the work environment, reinforcing employees’ sense of belonging and organizational commitment. OBJECTIVE: The study proposed and validated a theoretical model, with meta-analytic structural equation modeling employed to conduct quantitative, empirical research on workplace friendships, well-being, and organizational commitment in Taiwan and to analyze correlations between relevant variables. METHODS: The theoretical model was further validated through structural equation modeling, which yielded favorable goodness of fit in terms of various indicators. RESULTS: The mediating effect of well-being was verified through bootstrapping analysis. Within a 95% confidence interval, the total effect size of workplace friendships on organizational commitment was 0.549, which is the sum of its direct effect (0.255) and indirect effect (0.294). CONCLUSIONS: This finding indicates that well-being plays a mediating role in the association between workplace friendships and organizational commitment. The proposed theoretical model in this study is supported. Finally, the research results are discussed, and practical suggestions are provided.

Proenvironmental Behavior Increases Subjective Well-Being: Evidence From an Experience-Sampling Study and a Randomized Experiment

Two preregistered studies investigated whether engaging in proenvironmental behavior increases a person’s well-being. A 10-day experience-sampling study (7,161 observations from 181 adults in 14 countries, primarily the United States) revealed positive within-person and between-person associations, and a randomized controlled experiment (N = 545 U.S. undergraduates) found that incorporating proenvironmental behavior into individuals’ daily activities increased their experiences of happiness and meaning in life. Indeed, the effect was comparable to incorporating activities selected specifically to elicit such positive states, though these results may be affected by demand characteristics. The studies also offered some tentative preliminary evidence about why such an effect might emerge. There was some support for the hypothesis that proenvironmental behavior affects well-being by creating a “warm glow.” But overall the findings align more closely with the hypothesis that proenvironmental behavior helps to satisfy individuals’ basic psychological needs.

Demographic determinants of happiness in Andalusia: insights from the 2022 social survey data.

The Social Survey of Andalusia is an instrument for monitoring the Andalusian reality developed by the regional government of Andalusia, whose dataset is open access to the citizens. The 2022 edition included questions related to happiness, social relations as well as socio-demographic factors. Based on this dataset, the present study aimed to analyse the relationship between socio-demographic factors and people's experiences of happiness. It also set out to explore which factors might be indispensable for experiencing moments of happiness as measured in the survey. A sample of 4,968 cases was gotten, conducting a descriptive analysis, a logit regression in complex samples, and a Necessary Conditions Analysis. The results found two very different social profiles in terms of the experience of happiness, determined by age, sex, educational level and economic status. However, neither factor proved to be a necessary condition for happiness. Both conclusions should be taken into consideration in any socio-community intervention.

Non-attachment, sense of coherence and happiness: an examination of their relationships through the Buddhist concept of virtue-meditation-wisdom

ABSTRACT This study aims to unravel the intricate mechanisms that intertwine non-attachment, sense of coherence, and happiness, employing the lens of the Buddhist framework, emphasizing virtue-meditation-wisdom. 123 undergraduate students participated in the study through an online survey utilizing purposive sampling. Results revealed support for a complementary model, indicating that the impact of non-attachment on happiness is not solely direct but is also indirectly influenced by the sense of coherence. These results suggest that cultivating non-attachment contributes to an individual’s enhanced ability to comprehend problems and utilize resources effectively to navigate challenges meaningfully, ultimately leading to an increased experience of happiness.

Привязанность к домашним питомцам и любовь к людям – есть ли связь?

&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective. &lt;/strong&gt;The study is aimed at investigating the relationship between attachment to pets and pro-social personality characteristics &amp;ndash; environmental identity, moral motives, and ecological lifestyle. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;Attachment to pets is being investigated in the context animal-assisted therapy animal rights protection but the question of the possible contribution of this phenomenon to the development of humane treatment of people is still open. Is it possible to expect that attachment to a pet has a humanizing effect or does retain its specificity without being related to the pet owners&amp;rsquo; pro-social attitudes &amp;ndash; this research question reflects the main problem of the study. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Study design.&lt;/strong&gt; The study has correlational design; data was collected online using the 1ka.si service.&lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Participants.&lt;/strong&gt; The study sample consisted of 284 respondents (224 women, 60 men, aged 18-76, &lt;em&gt;M&lt;/em&gt;&lt;sub&gt;age&lt;/sub&gt; = 25,4, &lt;em&gt;SD&lt;/em&gt;&lt;sub&gt;age&lt;/sub&gt; = 9,7, mostly owners of cats and dogs, mostly Russian citizens). &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Measurements.&lt;/strong&gt; Validated Russian versions of the questionnaires were used, i.e., the Lexington attachment to pets scale (modified 8-item version prepared in this study), the 30-item Moral motives scale, the 14-item Environmental identity scale, and the 7-item Ecological lifestyle scale. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results&lt;/strong&gt;. It has been found that different aspects of attachment to a pet are indeed associated with environmental identity, moral motives (with the exception of self-restraint), and social eco-activism. It is also shown that two aspects of attachment to pets (pet rights and the experience of happiness from communicating with a pet) in different combinations predict the motives of not-harming, helping, social justice, and social eco-activism. &lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions&lt;/strong&gt;. Attachment to pets is positively related to the pro-social attitudes of the pet owners, mostly those reflected an active pet owners&amp;rsquo; position, but is not connected with the self-restraint qualities.&lt;/p&gt;

How does social support affect subjective well-being among Chinese widowed older adults?

Social support (SS) is an important factor influencing subjective well-being (SWB) in older adults. This is especially true for the special group of widowed older adults (WOA). Widowhood means that older adults have lost their most important SS, and therefore, the search for a guardian from outside the spouse becomes a central issue in ensuring the SWB of WOA. The data for this paper were obtained from CGSS 2021, a large national social survey in China. We operationalized SWB as an individual's overall perception of his or her experience of happiness using 'affective well-being' (i.e., emphasizing an individual's positive affective experiences), and scores were calculated using a Likert scale. This study used linear regression modeling to examine the impact of SS on the SWB of WOA (aged 60 and above). It was found that, first, this study presents the role of different circles of SS on the SWB of WOA, fully highlighting the importance of social context. Specifically, daughters, neighbors, and relatives constitute the guardians of the SWB for WOA in rural, whereas daughters and friends constitute the guardians of the SWB for WOA in rural. Second, the protective resources provided by the guardians not only serve as a buffer for WOA in distress but also reduce the likelihood of negative events occurring, thereby increasing WOA's SWB. This paper partially corroborates the findings of established studies on the topic of SS and SWB among older adults and the above findings not only help us to further explain the relationship between SS and SWB theoretically but also help us to rationalize the construction of SS for WOA practically.

Conceptualization and Measurement of Happy Travel Experiences Using Hedonic, Eudaimonic, and Engagement Aspects

The ultimate value of travel lies in the experience of happiness. However, most tourism research has focused on cognitive satisfaction or meaningful travel experiences, which has led to a lack of understanding of the nature of happy travel experiences. This study conceptualizes happy travel experiences in terms of their hedonic, eudaimonic, and engagement aspects, and develops a multi-dimensional scale that can directly measure such experiences. In Study 1, to measure these characteristics, we developed the FASS model, which consists of freedom, achievement, social, and serendipity experiences. In Study 2, the scale was developed using three extensive surveys. The results of the nomological network analyses confirmed that the developed scale predicted the outcomes of happy travel experiences. According to the results, destination managers need to create travel programs for a true escape, integrating mission activities for a sense of accomplishment. Unexpected gifts or events from destinations would also make travelers happy.

기부방식이 기부 의사결정에 미치는 영향

Purpose - Implicit self-theory refers to the fundamental beliefs individuals hold about the nature of their personal qualities, such as intelligence, abilities, and personality. The priming effect is a psychological phenomenon where exposure to one stimulus influences the response to a subsequent stimulus, without conscious guidance or intention. Two experiments were conducted to determine how implicit self-theory and the warm-up effect affect donation decision-making.&#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach - This research was exercised in two experiments. Experiment 1 examined the effects of implicit self-theory and the donation method (fixed vs. free) on donations. Experiment 2 examined the effects of priming (bad vs. happy experience), implicit self theory, and donation method (fixed vs. free) on donations.&#x0D; Findings - The result showed that implicit self-theory and the priming of past experiences influence donation decisions depending on donation method.&#x0D; Research Implications - Incremental theorists more than entity theorists preferred the free donation method over the fixed donation method. Additionally, entity theorists will be willing to donate more when recalling difficult events than when recalling enjoyable events. On the other hand, incremental theorists were willing to donate more when recalling enjoyable events than when recalling difficult events. In the case of free donation, where donations can be freely decided, the intention to donate was high when reminiscing about a difficult past, while in the case of fixed donation, the intention to donate was high when reminiscing about a happy past.

AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN DAILY EXPERIENCES OF HAPPINESS: THE ROLE OF THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE

Abstract We examined the role of future time perspective (thinking about the future) in shaping age-related differences in time-varying experiences of happiness. Older adults’ experience of happiness is more strongly associated with low-arousal than with high-arousal positive affect. Low-arousal positive affective states may be conducive to engaging in meaningful social interactions with close others (e.g., listening, adjusting to others) and therefore serve key socio-emotional goals that are prioritized when future time is perceived as limited. We hypothesized that thinking less about the future would be related to stronger associations between happiness and low-arousal positive states in older than younger adults. We used daily life assessments from 258 participants (M = 48.4 years; 68% female; 77% Asian; 73% post-secondary education), which comprised older (M = 63.4 years) and younger (M = 20.1 years) adult samples collected at two locations (Vancouver, Canada; Hong Kong). Participants reported on their momentary affective states and thinking about the future (0-100 scales) up to 30 times over 10 days. Results replicate previous findings by showing that momentary happiness was more strongly associated with momentary calmness and more weakly associated with momentary excitement among older as compared to younger adults. Younger adults reported thinking more about the future than older adults. Thinking less about the future was related to stronger happiness-calmness and weaker happiness-excitement associations in daily life for older participants, only; for younger participants, it was associated with weaker happiness-calmness associations. Age and future thinking-related contours of happiness are discussed in the context of emotional aging theories.

IN THE PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE: HOW TIME PERCEPTION AND TIME ORIENTATION SHAPE WELL-BEING ACROSS ADULT LIFE

Abstract Individuals are able to maintain or even improve their wellbeing well into older adulthood. Socioemotional selectivity theory describes such age-related improvement in terms of motivational shifts toward emotionally meaningful goals with shrinking future time horizons. However, the association between future time perceptions and well-being is in need of being further clarified. In this symposium, four presentations will shed light on three different aspects of future time perceptions — time savoring, future preoccupation, thinking about the future — and their associations with wellbeing. Growney et al will present a study that utilizes a day reconstruction method to examine if time savoring is associated with psychosocial wellbeing and helping behaviors in workplaces. Pauly et al will discuss the potential benefits of time savoring for how solitude is experienced, by examining the buffering role of time savoring in depressive mood and somatic symptoms during solitude. Chu et al offers an alternative conceptualization of future time horizons, future preoccupation, capturing the worries and fixation on future preparation, and discusses its role in wellbeing across the life span. Choi et al discuss the role of thinking about the future for age-related differences in everyday experiences of happiness of varying arousal levels. The symposium will end with a discussion by Laura Carstensen integrating these findings into research on future time perspective and wellbeing across the life span. By elucidating more specific time-related experiences, our findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how age-related changes in future time perspectives shape wellbeing trajectories across the life span.

Age differences in the experience of everyday happiness: The role of thinking about the future.

Happiness can be experienced differently in young as compared to older adulthood, possibly due to shifts in temporal focus and differences in preferences for high- versus low-arousal affective states. The current project aimed to replicate initial evidence on age-related differences in the experience of happiness by investigating the positive affective correlates of everyday happiness; we further explored the role of thinking about the future in moderating such associations. We used daily life assessments from 257 participants (Mage = 48.3, SDage = 24.6; 68% female; 77% Asian [East Asian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian]; 73% postsecondary educated), combining four data sets collected at two locations (Vancouver, Canada; Hong Kong) with different age samples (older and younger adults). Participants provided up to 30 repeated daily life assessments of momentary affective states and thoughts about the future, over 10 days. Results replicate previous findings by showing that happiness was more strongly associated with low-arousal positive affect and more weakly associated with high-arousal positive affect among older compared to younger adults. Engagement in thinking about the future was higher among younger compared to older adults in general, but its role in moderating the association between happiness and positive affect varying in arousal levels was confounded by the age moderation. Separate analyses conducted for each age group indicate different roles of everyday thinking about the future in shaping happiness experiences for different age groups. Age and future thinking-related contours of happiness are discussed in the context of emotional aging theories. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Impact of Motivation to Experience Happiness on Depressive Symptoms

The growing mental health concerns worldwide have highlighted the need to study depression as it heavily impacts overall well-being and life satisfaction. Depression research investigates genetic, environmental, and psychological factors for effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Meanwhile, motivation plays a crucial role in individual and organizational success and well-being, exploring intrinsic and extrinsic factors, cognitive and emotional processes, and social and environmental influences to optimize outcomes. This review paper examined the complex relationship between motivation and depression, focusing on the direct and indirect relationship between attitudes toward happiness and depression, relevant factors in the relationship, and the underlying neural mechanisms. The review discussed how different factors could contribute to the development and maintenance of depressive symptoms through multiple pathways and the underlying neural mechanisms that may be involved, particularly asymmetries in alpha oscillations. All in all, the findings highlighted the complex relationship between motivation and depression and proposed potential intervention targets to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in susceptible individuals. One of the major limitations of available research is that some studies reviewed in this paper rely on self-report measures, which may be influenced by social desirability bias and other biases that could affect the validity of the results. Future research should explore using various methods to have a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between motivation and depression. Understanding the relationship between motivation and depression can lead to improved interventions, customized treatments, and preventive programs for children and adolescents.

African-Centered Psychological Perspective on Happiness

Happiness scholarship has gained prominence in a number of disciplines over the last few decades, including economics and psychology. In South Africa, we have observed an uptick in happiness studies, but also that these studies are mostly using quantitative methodologies. What is missing in nearly all these studies are conceptualizations of happiness from African-centered decolonial psychological perspectives. The main objective in this article is to approach happiness from an African-centered decolonial psychological perspective. The article draws on data from a qualitative study which investigated happiness and gender equality amongst South African women. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit participants. Eleven qualitative individual interviews were conducted with key informants and three focus groups with women who shared their everyday lived experiences of happiness. We draw only from the individual interviews. The interviews were subjected to an adapted, theoretically driven thematic analysis informed by African-centered decolonial psychological interpretations. Whilst we identified four key themes, we report and discuss only two of these, namely: happiness as inter-connectedness and happiness as maintaining a balanced life. The perspective we adopt in this article offers an opportunity to unpack how happiness is inter-connectedness and how happiness is a balanced life. In enmeshing decolonial African-centered perspectives and African feminist psychology, it was possible to not only produce a more situated analysis of women’s happiness but also to center issues of gender and gender inequality within African-centered psychological thought. Potential directions for further contextual and transnational qualitative studies on happiness that incorporate African-centered decolonial perspectives are offered.