Happiness: A Review of Evidence Relevant to Occupational Science

Abstract

Occupational scientists must synthesise and apply knowledge generated within related disciplines to ensure the continued development of the discipline. This paper reviews the evidence available to occupational scientists on human happiness. This body of knowledge can be utilised by occupational scientists to better understand the subjective experience of occupational engagement. Two key philosophical traditions in happiness studies, hedonism and eudaimonia, are presented and theories of human happiness, including set-point theory, are described. A number of thematic areas of research on human happiness are reviewed. The relationships between happiness and health, living situation, personal goals, work, volunteering, flow, religiosity and relationships are reviewed. The reviewed studies underscore the centrality of occupation to current understandings of human happiness.

Keywords:

• Happiness
• Subjective well-being
• Flow
• Eudaimonia
• Hedonism

Acknowledgements

The completion of this review was funded by the Health Research Board of Ireland Research Training Fellowship for Healthcare Professionals.