A felicidade enquanto experiência vivida na população adulta

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand the importance and meaning of Happiness as an experience lived in the adult population, given the specificity and understanding of the interpretation of how the population interprets the concept of Happiness, exploring the construction of the concept from the reports, in exploration of the perception of the construct of the concept of Happiness and its implications in the lives of adults. Our sample consists in ten adults, residing in Portugal, aged between thirty and forty years old and between fifty and sixty years old, without cognitive disorders. A sociodemographic questionnaire and a semi-structured individual interview were used as a data collection technique for this qualitative study. In the interview, all questions were directed tounder stand what Happiness is, as well as its importance and meaning in each one's life. The interviews took place via video call, given the mandatory confinement arising fromthe Covid-19 pandemic. Regarding the results, we can infer that it is very difficult to obtain a single definition of Happiness, due to its relative, subjective, multiple and inconstant character and the fact that there is a great plurality of concepts related to it. Happiness has many positive by-products that have positive consequences for individuals, families and communities. Happy individuals obtain benefits in the most varied domains of life. They experience greater social rewards: more friends, stronger social support, and richer social interactions. There are indications that Unity and diversity go together, as long as the individuality of the members of a society is considered and respected. Man needs the other to complete Happiness, because it is difficult to be happy alone.

Date of Award	20 Jun 2022
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Armanda Gonçalves (Supervisor)