Relationship of the Gross National Happiness Index to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scales

Abstract

This study sought to contribute to the research literature on happiness through examining the underlying dimensions of happiness, as assessed by the Gross National Happiness Index (GNHI; Musikanski et al., 2017). In addition, this study sought to examine the relationship of those dimensions of happiness to both state and trait anxiety, as assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Index for Adults (STAI-AD; Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg, & Jacobs, 1977); this was to assess for any patterns of covariation and to generally better understand any existing relationships. Ultimately, this project had the goal of contributing to the psychometric base of the GNHI through assessing the dimensions it measures and utilizing the STAI-AD as an established criterion measure to search for any base of discriminant evidence of validity. This study was exploratory in nature; however, this researcher anticipated that the two instruments would either have low positive correlations or high inverse relationships. Relations to existing literature are examined herein. In order to address this study's purpose, data were gathered from a sample of students and staff at a Midwestern university. The overall results of the various analyses indicated a six-factor solution as the most psychologically meaningful. In addition, high inverse relationships were found between the happiness dimensions and both state and trait anxiety, which supported a base of discriminant evidence of validity of the GNHI. Practical considerations and relations to clinical and community psychology are discussed, as well as limitations and directions for future research.