Predictors of Happiness: The Role of Sex, Stream of Study, Area of Residence and Religiosity

Abstract

This research paper is an attempt to explore the predictors of the happiness among undergraduate students. To fulfill the objectives of the study, a sample of 80 third-year undergraduate students of Arts and Science streams, comprising an equal number of male and female participants, was selected from Feroze Gandhi College, Rae Bareli. Data were collected using two standardized tools; (1) the Positive Psychotherapy Inventory (PPTI) by Tayyab Rashid (2008) and (2) Religiosity Scale by Bhushan (2009). Results were analyzed using Pearson’s product-moment correlation and stepwise hierarchical multiple regression to identify significant predictors of each happiness dimension. Findings of the study revealed that the happiness among undergraduate students is influenced more strongly by personal and psychological factors such as sex and religiosity than by structural variables like stream of study or area of residence. Female students reported higher levels of pleasant, engaged and meaningful life compared to their male counterparts.