Relationship between Happiness and Life Satisfaction among Undergraduate Students in Private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia

Phuah, Bee Sim and Ooi, Jian Wei (2023) Relationship between Happiness and Life Satisfaction among Undergraduate Students in Private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia. Relationship between Happiness and Life Satisfaction. (Unpublished)

Text Phuah Bee Sim - Journal Manuscript.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (3MB)

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between happiness and life satisfaction among undergraduate students in private higher education institutions in Malaysia. Besides, it also aimed to examine the gender difference in happiness and life satisfaction among the undergraduate students. A total of 108 Malaysian undergraduate students (55 males; 53 females) between the ages of 18 to 25 years old were recruited via convenience sampling technique. Participants filled out an online survey which included the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Analysis of the data was performed using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and the Independent Samples t-test. The result showed that there was a significant moderate positive relationship between happiness and life satisfaction, r(106) = .56; p = .00 < .05. In terms of happiness, there is no statistically significant gender difference between male and female undergraduate students, t(106) = -1.36, p = .18 > .05. However, the findings revealed a marginal, but significant difference in life satisfaction between the male and female undergraduate students, with females reporting higher life satisfaction than males, t(106) = -2.76, p = .01 < .05. Future research should replicate the findings by acquiring a more diverse and large sample size. As an intervention to aid undergraduate students, mental health campaigns should be organised in private higher education institutions with the goal of increasing undergraduate students' happiness and life satisfaction.