| Abstrakt: |
The research was undertaken to study the factors that lead to happiness in the Indian society. In the current times due to high levels of stress, competitiveness and dynamism, a simple life goal like happiness, remains unattainable for most individuals. Happiness in the current study has been defined as: · Flexibility in a person's way of living · Low levels of stress · Balance of emotions · Good interpersonal skills and family relations · Adaptability with the changing times · Functional decision making and problem solving skills A self-developed questionnaire was administered to a sample size of 108 people. The purposive sampling was done in such a way that there was equal number of participants in the age brackets of 15yrs - 35yrs, 36yrs - 55yrs, 56yrs and above. Further, under each age bracket the participants belonged to three Socio-Economic Strata (SES): Low Socio-Economic Strata, Middle Socio-Economic Strata, and High Socio-Economic Strata. The conclusions drawn from this study were that there are some similar factors that govern happiness among all socio-economic classes. These are: having low levels of stress, flexibility in one's life, and healthy interpersonal interactions. Across all age brackets, maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends was of paramount importance in ones quest to happiness. Where the factors of stress are concerned, people belonging to High SES and the age bracket of 56 yrs. and above, were able to control it better. In terms of having flexibility and control over one's life, the Middle SES and High SES and also, those belonging to 36yrs - 55yrs, and 56 yrs and above had definite advantage. They could access greater resources to manage their lives. The Middle SES and participants in the age bracket of 36yrs - 55yrs emerged as most adaptable. They were also able to appropriately balance their problem solving skills, decision making skills and emotions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
