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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Introduction

What is Happiness?

Happiness is a multidimensional construct where we can aim for simple pleasures and

enjoyment, as well as pursuing our hobbies and passions, and devoting ourselves to various

social causes, and contributing meaningfully Happiness to the society.

Although happiness is a positive emotional state, everyone’s definition of happiness is

unique & subjective.For the majority of us, achieving personal happiness is paramount ; we

all want to have contended and joyful lives.

As per many researchers, Happiness can be interchange with “subjective wellbeings”

Sonia Lyuboisky, a positive psychology researcher. In her book “THE HOW OF

HAPPINESS”, describes happiness as “the experience of joy, contentment or positive well

being combined with a sense that once life is good, meaningful and worthwhile” Studies by

william Tou & others, conclude that more collectivist ideals about happiness more in terms of

harmony and contentment.

On the other hand individualistic minded people connect it to feelings of excitement and

joy. According to the university of New Hampshire, there are 3 components of Happiness.

(1) Momentary Mood - How you feel right nice.

(2) Life satisfaction - your overall evaluation of life

(3) Assessment of specific life domains: - work, relationships, finances, health etc.

How Much Happier Could you ?

According to the researches the happiness capacity of an individual is based upon various

factors -

Genetics (Biology heredity) - 50%

Circumstances (sex, income education) -10%

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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Intentional activity (behaviour, thinking) - 40%

Some Factors to Increase Happiness

 Relationships with other should be Qualitative and Supportive, this will enhance the

overall personality of an individual.

 An individual should help others as per the situational demand.

 One should try to deal with his/her day to day challenges of life rather than avoiding it.

 One should try to avoid self criticism and be compassionate to one’s self.

 A person should have meaningful purpose in the life which makes their life worth living.

 One should be thankful for s/he has in life rather than fulfill others desires.

 You should be empathic to other and behave consciously.

Factors Affecting Happiness

Research has found lots of benefits of happiness such as good physical health, boosting

immunity, and reducing stress (Davidson, Mostofsky, & Whang, 2010; Papousek,

Nauschnegg, Paechter, Lackner, Goswami, & Schulter, 2010; Steptoe & Wardle, 2011). let us

discuss various factors that can affect our happiness. Understanding the demographics of

happiness can help us devise and implement effective strategies for enhancing happiness and

well-being.

Money

The common perception is that if one earns a lot of money, has all the material comforts, one

will be happy. It is believed that people with low financial status face difficulty in meeting

their needs and hence are less happy and more stressed with life’s challenges. However,

research points out that although income increases our happiness, beyond a point, addition in

income does not lead to further increase in happiness.

Marriage
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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Those who are married are believed to be happier than those not married or divorced/

separated (Myers, 2000a). Can we infer from this that marriage makes one happy?

Studies also indicate that married people were already happier before marriage. So it is the

quality of marital relationship that is more important in contributing to happiness in marriage.

Age

Results show that happiness changes over the course of a person's life. Adolescence is

typically viewed as the worst stage, characterized by "storm and stress," a number of

growing-up obstacles, and a comprehension of the biological and psychological changes. A

person's adult life is filled with several obligations related to earning money, starting a

family, raising kids, looking after the elderly, etc.

Young adults go through a stress-free, carefree period during their college years when they

have more spare time.

Theories of Happiness

Happiness is a complex and multi-faceted concept, and various theories have been

proposed to understand and explain its nature. Here are some prominent theories of

happiness :

Hedonic happiness :

Hedonic happiness focuses on personal happiness involving pleasure, joy and

satisfaction, for instance, you enjoyed a good meal at the restaurant, you had fun with your

friends in the party, or you felt so satisfied with your life basking in the sun in the sea beach

and so on.

According to the Hedonic theory, maximizing pleasure and avoiding pain is the main

way to achieve happiness. It highlights how an individual's overall happiness is determined

by their subjective well-being and good feelings .

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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Subjective well being refers to the subjective evaluation of one’s life, i.e., how does one

perceive and evaluate or judge one’s life. Subjective well-being is defined as consisting of

three components:

 Life satisfaction

 Presence of positive affect

 A relative absence of negative affect (Baumgardner & Crothers, 2015).

Eudaimonic Happiness :

Eudaimonic happiness refers to a deeper sense of meaning in life. No one will probably

want to be always on the pleasure mode, being happy and cheerful; one will then miss the

variety of emotions that enriches our life, and develops appreciation for life. Aristotle’s

Eudaimonic view of happiness states that the good life involves living according to one’s

“diamon”, or ‘true self’.

Eudaimonic theory focuses on the idea that true happiness is derived from living a

meaningful and purposeful life. It suggests that well-being is achieved through the pursuit of

personal growth, self-actualization, and the realization of one's potential.

PERMA Model of Happiness

Seligman (2012) added further dimensions to study happiness more comprehensively

and proposed the PERMA model of happiness . PERMA stands for Positive emotions,

Engagement, Positive relationships, Meaning and Accomplishment, which can be considered

as the five major components contributing our well-being.

 Positive Emotions: Cultivating positive emotions like joy, gratitude, and curiosity.

 Engagement: Being fully immersed in activities that are challenging and meaningful.

 Positive Relationships: Having strong and supportive relationships with family and

friends.

 Meaning and Purpose: Finding a sense of purpose and significance in life.

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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

 Accomplishment: Setting and achieving goals, both big and small.

Objective of the Study-

To measure the level of Happiness among Male and Female neet aspirants.

Relevance-

NEET aspirants face immense academic pressure, competition, and stress. This research was

conduct to understand their level of Happiness that can provide insights of their mental health

during rigorous preparation process.

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Review of Literature

Investigating Diverse Interests and Opinions The idea of happiness is seductive and

elusive, and it has interested philosophers, psychologists, and laypeople alike for thousands

of years. This review delves into the wide area of happiness studies, highlighting significant

theories, methods, and findings.

Diener and Ryan(2009) Since ancient times, philosophers have been enthralled with

happiness, a glittering mirage in the human experience. A complex picture is painted by

research, which intertwines subjective feelings, life satisfaction, and general well-being

(Huppert, 2009; Diener & Ryan, 2009).While brief bursts of happiness could add color to this

tapestry, true happiness is found in a dynamic, holistic condition that is continuously adjusted

to the ups and downs of life (Diener & Ryan, 2009).

Pioneers in positive psychology, such as Seligman (2002), have highlighted important

factors that contribute to happiness, including strong social ties, good feelings, and

meaningful activity participation. However, outside variables like socioeconomic standing

and cultural norms might also have an impact on this environment (Oishi et al., 2007). It's

interesting to note that personality factors and heredity also matter; optimism and

scrupulosity are two prominent themes in the picture (Costa & McCrae, 1980).

Happiness, though, is not a static work of art. Its fragile threads can be unraveled by

stress, anxiety, and bereavement, which emphasizes the value of resilience and coping

techniques (Connor & Davidson, 2003). It becomes essential to acknowledge these

difficulties and seek assistance, whether in the form of specialized knowledge or personal

tactics, in order to preserve equilibrium (Huppert, 2009).

In essence, happiness literature reveals a dynamic dance between internal and external

forces, offering a roadmap to cultivate this precious state. By understanding its diverse
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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

threads, nurturing them with positive emotions, meaningful pursuits, and strong connections,

we can weave a tapestry of life that truly flourishes, even amidst inevitable challenges.

Having a purpose in life has been cited consistently as an indicator of healthy aging for

several reasons, including its potential for reducing mortality risk. In the current study, we

sought to extend previous findings by examining whether purpose in life promotes longevity

across the adult years, using data from the longitudinal Midlife in the United States (MIDUS)

sample. Proportional-hazards models demonstrated that purposeful individuals lived longer

than their counterparts did during the 14 years after the baseline assessment, even when

controlling for other markers of psychological and affective well-being. Moreover, these

longevity benefits did not appear to be conditional on the participants’ age, how long they

lived during the follow-up period, or whether they had retired from the workforce. In other

words, having a purpose in life appears to widely buffer against mortality risk across the adult

years.
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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Methodology

Problem Statement:

This study seeks to determine the level of Happiness among NEET Aspirant, with a particular

focus on potential gender variations.

Objective:

The primary objective of this research is to assess and measure the level of happiness among

NEET aspirants. Specifically, the study aims to explore gender differences in the happiness

levels of these students.

Hypothesis:

There will be no significant difference in the happiness levels between male and female

NEET aspirants.

Variables:

Independent Variable: Gender (Male, Female)

Dependent Variable: Happiness levels of NEET aspirants.

Sample:

The research was conducted on the sample of 50 NEET aspirants, consisting of 25 males and

25 females, selected through a random sampling technique. see fig(1.1)

50 NEET ASPIRANTS

25 MALE 25 FEMALE

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 15-20 years old, currently preparing for NEET.

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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Exclusion Criteria:

Diagnosed mental health conditions, learning disabilities, or language barriers.

Instruments:

• Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI-29): This 29-item self-report scale assesses subjective

well-being through positive and negative emotions, life satisfaction, and overall happiness.

The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) exhibits robust construct validity, as

evidenced by strong correlations with key measures. Specifically, the OHQ demonstrates a

substantial correlation of .81 with a measure of self-esteem, .77 with the Life Regard Index,

and an impressive .90 with the Depression–Happiness scale. These findings underscore the

questionnaire's ability to effectively capture and assess subjective well-being, establishing its

validity in relation to established metrics of self-esteem, life regard, and depressive

tendencies.

• Demographic Questionnaire: Collects information on age, gender, education level, NEET

preparation duration, and NEET aspirations.

Procedure of Data Collection-

Data Collection:

The research was conducted through a survey. Participants were invited to complete the OHI-

29 and the Demographic Questionnaire. The survey ensured anonymity and confidentiality,

potentially increasing participant response rates. Informed consent was obtained from all

participants before data collection began. A brief description of the study, including its

purpose and expected duration, was provided to participants.

Data Analysis:
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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Descriptive statistics, including Mean and Standard deviations, were used to summarize the

level of happiness and other variables to compare happiness levels across different groups

based on demographic variables (e.g., gender, socio-economic status),t-test was employed.

Ethical Considerations:

The study adhered to ethical research principles outlined by relevant national and

international guidelines. Anonymity and confidentiality of participant data were protected

through secure data storage and access protocols. Informed consent was obtained from all

participants before data collection. Participants were informed of their right to withdraw from

the study at any time. The potential risks and benefits of the study were clearly

communicated to participants.

Scoring

To Calculate the result, mean and t-test was evaluated and the obtained scores and t- value is

summarized in the mean score table(1.1) and graph(1.1)

Table-1.1 Shows mean score of happiness level among male/female neet aspirants.

TOTAL MEAN t-TEST

MALE 25 11.25 0.59

FEMALE 25 11.53
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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Graph-1.1 Graphical representation among Male&female neet aspirants .

13

11.53
11.25
11

1 0.59

MALE FEMALE t-TEST

Result and Discussion

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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

The mean level of happiness among male aspirants is 11.25, while for females, it is 11.53 and

the t-value is 0.59, as shown in Table 1.1 and Graph 1.1, is not deemed significant. Based on

this result, the overall level of happiness among coaching students, irrespective of gender, is

considered average, indicating that both males and females are moderately happy. The study

successfully achieves its objective.

A sample of 50 students, including 25 males and 25 females, was taken. The application of

the t-test resulted in a score of 0.59, which is not statistically significant. This suggests that

there is no significant difference in the happiness levels between males and females. Even in

the individual results for both genders, the disparity in happiness levels is not considerable.

Following the scoring, we categorized the individual scores of NEET aspirants into "very

happy," "pretty happy," "moderately happy," and "unhappy." Among females, 6 were

classified as very happy, 9 as pretty happy, 7 as moderately happy, and 3 as unhappy. Among

males, only one was categorized as very happy, 11 as pretty happy, 10 as moderately happy,

and 3 as unhappy.

In alignment with Inglehart's (1990) study, which shows a nearly identical level of happiness

in men and women, other research also indicates a less than 1% difference in perceived well-

being between genders (Fujita, Diener, & Sandvik, 1991). Nevertheless, gender differences

exist in emotional lives, including the expression and experience of emotions (Fujita et al.,

1991).

Conclusion:

Based on the investigation and factual information, we conclude that students exhibit a

moderate level of happiness. It is acknowledged that students may be facing challenges, such

as academic stress and career pressure, which can impact their happiness. Various factors,

including family support, peer relationships, and self-esteem, also contribute to an

individual's happiness.
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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Reference

Baumgardner, S., & Crothers, M. (2015). Positive Psychology. New Delhi: Pearson.
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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Connor, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The

Connor‐Davidson resilience scale (CD‐RISC). Depression and anxiety, 18(2), 76-

82.

Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1980). Influence of extraversion and neuroticism on

subjective well-being: happy and unhappy people. Journal of personality and social

psychology, 38(4), 668.

Davidson, K. W., Mostofsky, E., & Whang, W. (2010). Don’t worry, be happy: positive

affect and reduced 10-year incident coronary heart disease: the Canadian Nova

Scotia Health Survey. European heart journal, 31(9), 1065–

1070. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehq031

Davidson, R. J., Mostofsky, E., & Whang, S. (2010). Positive emotions and health. The

American Psychologist, 65(2), 308-319.

Diener, E., & Ryan, K. (2009). Subjective well-being: A general overview. South African

journal of psychology, 39(4), 391-406.

Fujita, F., Diener, E., & Sandvik, E. (1991). Gender differences in negative affect and well-

being: the case for emotional intensity. Journal of personality and social

psychology, 61(3), 427.

Hills, P., & Argyle, M. (2002). The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire: a compact scale for the

measurement of psychological well-being. Personality and individual differences,

33(7), 1073-1082.

Huppert, F. A. (2009). Psychological well‐being: Evidence regarding its causes and

consequences. Applied psychology: health and well‐being, 1(2), 137-164.

Inglehart, R. (1990). Political value orientations. Continuities in political action, a

longitudinal study of political orientations in three western democracies, 67-102.

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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Myers, D. G. (2000a). The funds, friends, and faith of happy people. American Psychologist,

55, 56-67.

Oishi, S., Diener, E., & Lucas, R. E. (2007). The optimum level of well-being: Can people be

too happy?. Perspectives on psychological science, 2(4), 346-360.

Papousek, I., Nauschnegg, C., Paechter, M., Lackner, H., Goswami, H., & Schulter, G.

(2010). The emotional brain: new insights from infant research. Nature Reviews

Neuroscience, 11(6), 411-423.

Seligman, M. E. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize

your potential for lasting fulfillment. Simon and Schuster.

Seligman, M. E. P. (2012). Flourish: A new understanding of happiness and well- being.

Free Press.

Steptoe, A., & Wardle, J. (2011). Positive affect and biological health: a review of the

evidence. European Journal of Personality, 25(1), 1-25.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1002/per.813

Appendix

OXFORD HAPPINESS QUESTIONAIRE

.
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THE LEVEL OF HAPPINESS AMONG NEET ASPIRANTS

Below you find statements about level of HAPPINESS .Please indicate how much you
agree or disagree with each of these statements. The test will continue on the following page
strongly moderately Slightly Slightly moderately Stro
SR Items
disagree disagree disagree agree agree agre

1. I don’t feel particularly pleased with the

way I am.

2. I am intensely interested in other people.

3. I feel that life is very rewarding

4. I have very warm feelings towards almost

everyone

5. I rarely wake up feeling rested.

6. . I am not particularly optimistic about the

future.

7. I find most things amusing.

8. I am always committed and involved.

9. Life is good.

10 I do not think that the world is a good place.

11 I laugh a lot.

12 I am well satisfied about everything in my

life.

13 I don’t think I look attractive.

14 There is a gap between what I would like to

do and what I have done.

15 I am very happy.

16 I find beauty in some things.

17 I always have a cheerful effect on others

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strongly moderately Slightly Slightly moderately Stro

SR Items
disagree disagree disagree agree agree agre

18 I can fit in (find time for) everything I want

to

19 I feel that I am not especially in control of

my life.

20 I feel able to take anything on.

21 I feel fully mentally alert.

22 I often experience joy and elation.

23 I don’t find it easy to make decisions.

24 I don’t have a particular sense of meaning

and purpose in my life.

25 I feel I have a great deal of energy.

26 I usually have a good influence on events.

27 I don’t have fun with other people.

28 I don’t feel particularly healthy

29

I don’t have particularly happy memories of

the past.