1. Are Happy People Found in Connected Neighborhoods
Are Happy People Found in Connected Neighborhoods?   Exploring the Relationship Between Happiness and Sense of Community
References
Davidson, W. B., & Cotter, P. R. (1991). The relationship between sense of community and subjective well-being: A first look. Journal of Community Psychology, 19(3),
De Neve, J., Christakis, N. A., Fowler, J. H., & Frey, B. S. (2012). Genes, economics, and happiness. Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics, 5(4),
Diener, E., & Oishi, S. (2005). The nonobvious social psychology of happiness. Psychological Inquiry, 16(4),
Kahneman, D., & Deaton, A. (2010). High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107(38),
Lyubomirsky, S. (2001). Why are some people happier than others?: The role of cognitive and motivational processes in well- being. American Psychologist, 56(3),
Prezza, M., Amici, M., Roberti, T., & Tedeschi, G. (2001). Sense of community referred to the whole town: Its relations with neighboring, loneliness, life satisfaction, and area of residence. Journal of Community Psychology, 29(1),
Wood, L., Frank, L. D., & Giles-Corti, B. (2010). Sense of community and its relationship with walking and neighborhood design. Social Science & Medicine, 70(9), 
Allison Ross, PhD1, Craig A. Talmage, PhD2, and Mark Searle, PhD3 | 1Arizona State University/University of Phoenix, 2Hobart and William Smith College, 3Arizona State University |
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
A substantial body of literature focused on correlates of happiness exists. A growing body of research has now begun to look at how happiness affects certain life outcomes. Among these are the relationships we have with our neighbors and neighborhoods.
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to examine the association between happiness levels and sense of community (SOC) ratings among individuals within a neighborhood setting.
METHODS:
Data were collected from the monthly Florida Consumer Attitude Survey conducted by the University of Florida Survey Research Center yielding a sample of 502 adult residents. A four model hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to measure the effects of demographic variables, neighborhood characteristics, reported health, and happiness on SOC.
RESULTS:
Age, income, number of years lived in the neighborhood, reported health, and happiness all significantly contributed to SOC.
CONCLUSIONS:
Promoting happiness not only enhances individual aspects of our life, but also how we feel about our neighborhood community.
BACKGROUND
Between 33% - 50% of individual happiness is determined by genetics (De Neve, Christakis, Fowler, & Frey, 2012; Lyubomirsky, 2001).
METHODS
Variables
SOC was measured using a six item scale developed by Wood, Frank, and Giles-Corti (2010) where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree. The scale was created based on a review of measures used in SOC research and has established reliability (Wood et al., 2010) and sufficient internal consistency (α = 0.793).
Happiness was measured on a four point scale by asking respondents “In general, all things considered, would you say you are not happy at all (1), not very happy, happy, or very happy (4)?”.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Being married (16%), living in a single family home (17%), owning a home (22%), and having excellent health (29%) were associated with being very happy.
Having children resulted in a slight decrease in happiness (5%).
Age and income were associated with higher happiness levels but in a more complex way.
Higher incomes and age are connected and generally result in higher levels of happiness – until a certain point. For example, researchers Kahneman and Deaton (2010) found that money increased happiness, until about $75,000 per year, and after that life satisfaction was not significantly impacted. Among residents in this sample, similar results indicated no significant difference in happiness levels among those who made between $100-$150,000 and those who made more than $150,000 annually.
Sense of Community Scale
Living in my neighborhood gives me a sense of community.
I regularly stop and talk with people in my neighborhood.
It is easy to make friends in my neighborhood.
I regularly seek advice from people in my neighborhood.
I regularly borrow things and exchange favors with my neighbors.
I would be willing to work together with others on something to improve the living environment in my neighborhood.
The final model containing demographics, neighborhood characteristics, reported health, and happiness, had the best fit to predict SOC (R2 = .210, F (14, 342) = 6.236, p < .001).
Including happiness added a ΔR2 = .070 (p < .001).
Being between the ages of (β = .165, t = 2.636, p < .01), being older than 60 years (β = .156, t = 2.341, p < .05), number of years lived in the neighborhood (β = .147, t = 2.759, p < .01), reported health (β = .122, t = 2.196, p < .05), and happiness (β = .292, t = 5.408, p < .001) all significantly contributed to SOC.
RESULTS
94% of those with high SOC reported being happy or very happy.
Happiness accounted for 7% of individual SOC.
Being married (12%), living in a single family home (9%), owning a home (12%), and having excellent health (22%) were associated with a high SOC rating.
Having children resulted in a slight decrease in SOC (1%).
CONCLUSIONS
This research suggests that happiness impacts more than just social bonds. Happy people are more connected to the neighborhoods in which they live. This sense of community has shown to contribute to positive behaviors in the community such as volunteering and neighboring, and is a catalyst for social capital growth. The connection between happiness and SOC has implications for community planners, public health officials, and residents looking to strengthen relationships and communities.
OBJECTIVE
Individuals who have a strong connection to their community are happier (Davidson & Cotter, 1991; Diener & Oishi, 2005; Prezza, Amici, Roberti, & Tedeschi, 2001a), but do happy people seek out the social interaction and fellowship that are essential components of strong communities?
For additional information please contact:
Allison Ross, PhD
School of Community Resources & Development
Arizona State University