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Happiness in the United Arab Emirates: conceptualisations of happiness among Emirati and other Arab students

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  • Louise Lambert D'raven
  • Nausheen Pasha-Zaidi

Abstract

How happiness is defined depends on who is asked. The prevailing views of happiness currently found in the literature tend to be Western and individualistic and shape what is viewed as normative. In this descriptive exploratory study, based in the United Arab Emirates, Emirati and other Arab expatriate students were asked to define happiness and describe how it is viewed by their cultures. Both groups defined happiness as a collective state generated through relationships with family and social groups, rather than through the self. It was also defined as an emotion and approach to life and involved religion and goal setting. Emiratis noted the presence of good governance as a contributor to happiness while other Arabs noted its absence. The findings enrich the current understanding of happiness and provide a preliminary view of what other cultures may consider to be happiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Louise Lambert D'raven & Nausheen Pasha-Zaidi, 2015. "Happiness in the United Arab Emirates: conceptualisations of happiness among Emirati and other Arab students," International Journal of Happiness and Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 2(1), pages 1-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijhdev:v:2:y:2015:i:1:p:1-21
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. L. Lambert & Z. A. Draper & M. A. Warren & M. Joshanloo & En-Ling Chiao & A. Schwam & T. Arora, 2022. "Conceptions of Happiness Matter: Relationships between Fear and Fragility of Happiness and Mental and Physical Wellbeing," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 535-560, February.
    2. L. Lambert & H.-A. Passmore & N. Scull & I. Al Sabah & R. Hussain, 2019. "Wellbeing Matters in Kuwait: The Alnowair’s Bareec Education Initiative," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 143(2), pages 741-763, June.
    3. Igor Sotgiu & Licia Tirloni & Julissa Thomas Zapata, 2021. "Cultural Similarities and Variations in the Conceptions of Happiness and Unhappiness: A Comparison Between Italy and Honduras," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 33(2), pages 232-257, September.

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