Happiness and physical health: Associations with cardiovascular disease risk factors
Journal Title: The Journal of Happiness and Well-Being - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Evidence suggests that being significantly unhappy is associated with negative cardiac outcomes and that positive affect is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between happiness and the individual risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in otherwise healthy working adults. Participants were recruited from one workplace in Auckland, New Zealand and completed a CVD risk assessment and demographic, nutrition and physical activity, and Authentic Happiness Inventory (AHI) questionnaires. One-way ANOVAs were performed to identify whether any significant differences existed in AHI scores by demographic and health variables. Bivariable linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between potential predictor variables and AHI classification (low or high). Variables associated with AHI classification at p < 0.20 were then examined simultaneously in multivariable logistic regression. After elimination of all non-significant factors in the multivariable logistic regression, only smoking status remained negatively associated with AHI score (p = 0.016). Despite the fact that many smokers report that smoking makes them happy, smoking was negatively associated with happiness in this sample. This finding may be implemented in smoking cessation and CVD interventions and health promotion initiatives.
Authors and Affiliations
Janine Shepherd| Auckland University of Technology Human Potential Centre, New Zealand, Melody Oliver| Auckland University of Technology Human Potential Centre, New Zealand. E-mail: melody.oliver@aut.ac.nz, Grant Schofield| Auckland University of Technology Human Potential Centre, New Zealand
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP15922
- DOI -
- Views 395
- Downloads 17
Psychometric properties of a newly established flow state questionnaire
In the last decades several measuring methods have been established for studying flow experience. The starting point for the establishment of the Flow State Questionnaire (PPL-FSQ: Flow State Questionnaire of the Posit...
Forgiveness as a positive character strength
This study introduces the forgiveness concept, one of the positive character strengths, and forgiveness-oriented therapies to Turkish literature. The content of the literature review includes: the attempts to define for...
Advocating a pedagogy of happiness in TESOL: Antecedents and potentialities
Among the many topics discussed in positive psychology and life skills education, happiness enjoys a distinctive stature. In practical terms, an essential hallmark of the positive psychology movement would reasonably be...
Life regrets and life satisfaction in mature adults
Individuals have to make many decisions throughout the lifespan. This is very likely to yield some decision outcomes that will leave a decision-maker with the feeling of regret, which can ultimately affect an individual...
Positive psychotherapy: Its development, basic principles and methods, and applicability to Turkish culture
In this study, Positive Psychotherapy, resource oriented and transcultural therapeutic approach, has been introduced to Turkish literature and the applicability of it to Turkish culture has been discussed. The contents...