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Exploring the Reciprocal Relationships between Happiness and Life Satisfaction of Working Adults—Evidence from Abu Dhabi

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  • Masood A. Badri

    (Chairman Office, Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 30039, United Arab Emirates
    College of Business and Economics, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates)

  • Mugheer Alkhaili

    (Chairman Office, Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 30039, United Arab Emirates)

  • Hamad Aldhaheri

    (Undersecretary Office, Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 30039, United Arab Emirates)

  • Guang Yang

    (Social Monitoring and Innovation Sector, Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 30039, United Arab Emirates)

  • Muna Albahar

    (Chairman Office, Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 30039, United Arab Emirates
    College of Humanities and Social Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates)

  • Asma Alrashdi

    (Social Monitoring and Innovation Sector, Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 30039, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

This paper examines the relationships between a range of well-being factors and two commonly used subjective well-being measures—happiness and life satisfaction. Data from the second cycle of the Quality of Life (QoL) Survey in Abu Dhabi were used, which included 32,087 working adults. The well-being factors included in the analysis covered various aspects of life themes: income and jobs, work–home balance, health and physical activities, social and community services, living environment, and family/friends’ relationships and connections. Using standardized data, path analysis yielded an optimal path model that suggested the presence of a reciprocal relationship between happiness and life satisfaction. In addition, the final model suggested that four variables—job satisfaction, mental health, satisfaction with relationships with people, and the size of the social support network—had direct effects on happiness and life satisfaction. The model also identified three variables—satisfaction with family life, mental health, and job satisfaction—to have the most significant effect on happiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Masood A. Badri & Mugheer Alkhaili & Hamad Aldhaheri & Guang Yang & Muna Albahar & Asma Alrashdi, 2022. "Exploring the Reciprocal Relationships between Happiness and Life Satisfaction of Working Adults—Evidence from Abu Dhabi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:6:p:3575-:d:773403
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    2. Driss El Kadiri Boutchich, 2023. "Model for Promoting Corporate Social Performance Measurement and Social Change: Elaboration from Causal Analysis Between the Both," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 209-234, September.
    3. Daniel Homocianu, 2024. "Life Satisfaction: Insights from the World Values Survey," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-47, July.
    4. Jose Marquez & Louise Lambert & Megan Cutts, 2023. "Geographic, Socio-Demographic and School Type Variation in Adolescent Wellbeing and Mental Health and Links with Academic Competence in the United Arab Emirates," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(2), pages 797-836, April.

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