Quantifiable Happiness? Does Quality or Quantity of Interpersonal Relationships Determine Happiness
Location
FA-203
Department
Psychology
Abstract
This study will examine the relationship between interpersonal relationships and happiness among undergraduate students. Previous research has supported the notion that high quality interpersonal relationships are linked to overall happiness among individuals, but few have examined the impact of the sheer quantity of close relationships. In this study, we will examine two factors that may contribute to relationship satisfaction: quantity vs quality of relations and the contexts in which they occur. Specifically, close interpersonal relationships will be examined across contexts such as by where they occur: i.e., school, work, romantic, friend, and family relationships. A Qualtrics survey will be used to collect responses. Quantity and quality of each type or class of interpersonal relationship will be assessed by asking participants how many interpersonal relationships they have and how fulfilling they find the relationships to be. We will also use the Subjective Scale of Happiness to measure respondents' overall level of happiness. Lastly, we will conduct a correlational analysis to assess the strength between interpersonal relationships and levels of happiness. We hypothesize that a high quantity of interpersonal relationships increase feelings of happiness and life satisfaction (i.e, romantic, platonic, work- and school-based).
Faculty Sponsor
Maureen Erber, Northeastern Illinois University
Quantifiable Happiness? Does Quality or Quantity of Interpersonal Relationships Determine Happiness
FA-203
This study will examine the relationship between interpersonal relationships and happiness among undergraduate students. Previous research has supported the notion that high quality interpersonal relationships are linked to overall happiness among individuals, but few have examined the impact of the sheer quantity of close relationships. In this study, we will examine two factors that may contribute to relationship satisfaction: quantity vs quality of relations and the contexts in which they occur. Specifically, close interpersonal relationships will be examined across contexts such as by where they occur: i.e., school, work, romantic, friend, and family relationships. A Qualtrics survey will be used to collect responses. Quantity and quality of each type or class of interpersonal relationship will be assessed by asking participants how many interpersonal relationships they have and how fulfilling they find the relationships to be. We will also use the Subjective Scale of Happiness to measure respondents' overall level of happiness. Lastly, we will conduct a correlational analysis to assess the strength between interpersonal relationships and levels of happiness. We hypothesize that a high quantity of interpersonal relationships increase feelings of happiness and life satisfaction (i.e, romantic, platonic, work- and school-based).