Recently numerous studies showing that happy people are flourishing in various life domains are actively conducted. However, most of the research on benefits of subjective well-being (happiness) is conducted in individualist cultures (e.g., US, Wester...
Recently numerous studies showing that happy people are flourishing in various life domains are actively conducted. However, most of the research on benefits of subjective well-being (happiness) is conducted in individualist cultures (e.g., US, Western European countries), and empirical research on how happiness affect Korean people’s private and social life is practically none. The current research collected data from Korean samples (high school and university students, and office workers), who belong to collectivist culture.
We followed the participants for 18 months and collected data through four waves to investigate the effect of initial happiness on people’s later life outcomes. Variables in three different aspects were measured: Objective, social, and psychological aspects. We also collected data from informants. Replicating previous research findings, our data showed that initial happiness predicted flourishing in all three aspects in later life.
Variables in objective aspect: Physical attractiveness had no correlation with happiness. However, happiness predicted later achievement. Happier students in the first wave reported higher G.P.A. in third wave and fourth wave. Happiness also predicted health related variables. Happier people in the first wave reported better general health and less pain. Also they were less likely to visit hospital, catch a cold, experience depression, have insomnia, and feel suicidal. Happiness also predicted citizenship. Happier people in the first wave tended to do more volunteer works, donations, and recycling.
Variable in social aspect: The happier people in the beginning of the research reported higher satisfaction of social relationships in general, with family, friends, and coworkers. Also happiness of the first wave was both correlated with the quantity and quality of friendships. Happier people were more likely to be in committed relationships with romantic partners, and to report higher romantic-relationship satisfaction. They also had intensions of having long-term relationships.
Variables in psychological aspect: First wave happiness predicted fourth wave self-esteem, sense of belonging, general trust, and satisfactions of various life domains. Initially happier people were less likely to be materialistic, lonely, conscious of face, and comparing self with others, that are known to be harmful to happiness. Also, happier people reported having less stress from various domains including both internal features (e.g., personality and aptitude) and external features (e.g., money and appearance).
Informants’ data: Initially happier people were more likely to give positive impressions to people around them. Initially happier office workers were more likely to be evaluated as being a good listener, a would-be grand person, popular, and sensitive to the boss’s feelings. They were also positively evaluated from their boss (i.e., more earnest and altruistic). Likewise, initially happier high school students were evaluated more positively from their teachers (i.e., having a good friendship and leadership).
The current research showed that happiness cause positive long-term consequences in various aspects of life, and that is not limited to the individualist cultures, but also true in Korea, a collectivist culture. Also as a longitudinal study, following the participants for 18 months, it also showed semi-causal relationships between happiness and later benefits to the individuals. Recently there is a global trend to apply the happiness level of people to the national indicator of life quality, rather than using only economic indicators, such as G.D.P. The main finding of the current research is that ‘happy people are in better social relationships, better students or citizens, and performing better at school and work’ The result has big implications on national policy-making and education.