Exploring Lay Meanings of Happiness in Contemporary India: A Qualitative Inquiry

Authors

• Kunmun Mishra, GITAM UniversityFollow
• Kailash BL Srivastava Professor, Srivastava, Indian Institute of Technology, KharagpurFollow

Abstract

Three decades of professional research suggest several explicit concepts of happiness; however, exploring the lay theories of happiness has largely been overlooked. Addressing this gap, our paper attempts to explore lay concepts of happiness in the contemporary Indian context. Given the inherently subjective nature of happiness, a qualitative study was conducted to explore the impact of beliefs and lived experiences on happiness. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Meanings, causes, and actions to maintain happiness evolved into seven significant themes: contentment, achievement and hope, collectivist orientation, autonomy, materialism, pragmatic orientation, and spirituality. The study offers a contemporary perspective on the lay theories of happiness in the Indian cultural context, highlighting the heterogeneities in belief involving values of both hedonic and eudaimonic. The insights generated may help mental health professionals create therapeutic practices and wellbeing programs that align with the Indian cultural context.

Keywords

lay theories of happiness, India, thematic analysis, subjective well-being

Author Bio(s)

Kunmun Mishra completed her Ph.D. under the supervision of Professor Kailash BL Srivastava from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, on exploring the lay theories of happiness in the contemporary context of India. Her areas of interest include positive psychology, happiness, and Indian psychology. After completing her Ph.D., she is working as an Assistant Professor with GITAM University, Hyderabad. Please direct correspondence to kmishra2@gitam.edu

Professor Kailash BL Srivastava is a Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. His area of research includes Organisational Behaviour and Positive Psychology.

Publication Date

4-27-2026

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Recommended APA Citation

Mishra, K. & Srivastava, K. B. L. (2026). Exploring lay meanings of happiness in contemporary India: A qualitative inquiry. The Qualitative Report, 31(4), 5710-5732. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2026.4552