How Does Health Impact Happiness? Overall, Mental and Physical Health and Happiness

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Objective. This study was conducted to determine if overall health, mental health or physical health have a significant association with happiness in Americans. Background. Research performed in Kuwait has shown that mental health has a significant association with happiness. This study aimed to see if there is a similar association in the United States. Methods. Data was collected from the General Social Survey, a bi-annual personal interview survey by the National Opinion Research Center. A univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, logistic regression and odds ratio were conducted to analyze the data. Results. There are statistically significant associations between overall health and happiness, mental health and happiness, and physical health and happiness. For overall health and happiness, the percentage of happiness differed by χ 2 (9,2292)=248.76, p= 2 (9, 1416) = 155.98, p = 2 (9,699) = 25.31, p = 0.0026. Logistic regression showed χ 2= 93.48, p < 0.0001, therefore a significant prediction based on mental health can be made regarding happiness. The odds ratio of mental health and happiness showed OR 8.25 95%CI (3.02-21.79). Therefore, if exposed to 30 days of poor mental health, one is 8.25x more likely of being unhappy. Conclusion. There is a significant association between overall health, mental health, physical health and happiness. Health professionals should focus on improving patients’ mental health to improve their happiness. Grants. Not applicable.