University of British Columbia and Springer logoIt’s always good to be happy. Happiness not only gives personal satisfaction, it brings a smile on everybody else’s face as well. Many researchers and studies have highlighted the advantages of being happy, and have given out a list of ways through which people can keep themselves happy. Now even a latest research says that urging children to have a strong sense of self worth and confidence, can aid in keeping them happy.

This research was conducted by Dr. Mark Holder from University of British Columbia, Canada, in collaboration with his colleagues, Dr. Ben Coleman and Judi Wallace. They state that those children are believed to be very happy, who are capable of developing strong, meaningful relationships and who feel that their life is meaningful and valuable.

Spirituality and religiousness have earlier been associated with teen and adult happiness; however not much attention has apparently being given to children’s happiness. In an attempt to better understand the link between children’s happiness, spirituality and religiousness these researchers have studied around 320 children aged between 8 to 12 years.

In an attempt to gauge their happiness, spirituality, religiousness and temperament levels, these children had to undergo six different questionnaires. Even the children’s parents were questioned on their children’s rate of happiness.

The results revealed that those children claiming to be spiritual were found to be happier than the rest. The authors state that, “enhancing personal meaning may be a key factor in the relation between spirituality and happiness.” The researchers state that a child’s happiness can be measured through his temperament as well. Even spirituality and happiness were considered intertwined. However, religiosity is not a predictor of a child’s happiness. It didn’t seem to have much effect on the child’s happiness.

The author’s recommend various approaches through which the child’s self-worth may increase. Means like encouraging the child to fulfill an act of kindness or volunteer and have a helpful attitude towards others may aid in their personal happiness.

The research is published online in Springer’s Journal of Happiness Studies.