An Analysis of Individual Variables Affecting Levels of Happiness in Children from Low Income Families

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of individual variables, self-satisfaction regardingappearance, optimism, personality and self-efficacy on the levels of child happiness in low income families.For the purpose of this study, 202 school-age children from the 4th to 6th grades were randomly selectedfrom local childcare centers located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The researcher collected questionnaires forthree weeks in June 2010. The data gathered from 200 questionnaires were analyzed by simple regressionand stepwise regression analysis. The main results were as follows: First, this study indicated that levels ofhappiness were positively correlated with self-satisfaction regarding appearance, optimism and self-efficacyand was negatively correlated with personality. Secondly, as a result of simple regression analysis, individualvariables, self-satisfaction regarding appearance, optimism, personality and self-efficacy was observed toimpact upon the happiness levels of children from low income families. The study also confirmed that thevariable of self-efficacy had the greatest impact upon the happiness levels of children from low incomefamilies.