Abstract:
The present study was descriptive correlational research aimed at
investigating the level of happiness and factors related to happiness in early secondary
school students. The study sample consisted of 409 early secondary students in
Nakhon Pathom province in the first semester of the academic year, 2009. Five
questionnaires including a demographic characteristic questionnaire, Emotional
Quotient (EQ) Questionnaire, Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ 85),
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Thai Happiness Indicators Questionnaire were
used to collect data between June and July, 2009. Data were then analyzed by means
of Pearsons product moment correlation coefficient, Spearmans rank correlation
coefficient, and F test.
The findings revealed that the two largest groups of subjects had happiness
at a low and a normal level. In addition, it was found that the overall emotional
quotient was related to the level of happiness. That is, the subjects whose overall
emotional quotient was at a normal level had higher scores of happiness than those
whose overall emotional quotient was at a low level with statistical significance
(p < .05). However, the subjects whose overall motional quotient was at a normal level
had higher scores of happiness than those whose overall emotional quotient was at a
high level, with no statistical significance. The findings also indicated that the EQ
happiness aspect was associated with happiness. That is, those subjects whose EQ
happiness aspect was at a normal level had higher scores of happiness than those
showing a low level, with statistical significance (p < .05). However, the subjects
whose EQ happiness aspect was at a high level had happiness scores lower than those
subjects whose EQ happiness aspect was at a normal level, with no statistical
significance. Finally, the findings showed that there was no relationship between
family relationship, relationship with friends, social support, or self-esteem and
happiness.
The study findings have led to two conclusions: that most of our subjects
have a low or normal level of happiness, and that emotional quotient is related to
happiness. Therefore, healthcare personnel who work with early secondary school
students should be aware of their students level of happiness, and help them develop
their emotional quotient so as to promote happiness among these students