Concept of Happiness in Children and Older Adults

Abstract

Happiness, like health, is an integral component of a full-quality life. Despite the enormous academic interest to this concept, its definition and age-related specifics still remain unclear. This empirical research focused on the way happiness is interpreted by children and senior citizens. The initial hypothesis was that these age groups share at least some similarities in their understanding of happiness. The study involved children aged 7–10 (N=120; M=8.31; SD=1.09) and senior citizens aged 60–90 (N=82; M=70.43; SD=7.77). The obtained data were processed using Fischer’s criterion. Health, family, relationships, and well-being were registered in both age groups, which confirmed the initial hypothesis. However, elderly participants were more likely to interpret happiness as well-being. They associated it with life satisfaction in health, love and belonging, family well-being, income, supportive relationships, etc. Not a single respondent in this group linked happiness with positive emotions, rest, leisure, or recreational activity. Children, on the other hand, perceived happiness as a kind of pleasure associated with joy, fun, friends, recreation, and gifts.