Prevalence and associated factors of life satisfaction and happiness among women in iraq: Results of the 2018 multiple indicator cluster survey

Abstract

The study aimed assess the prevalence and factors associated with life satisfaction and happiness among adolescent and adult women in Iraq. In the nationally representative 2018 Iraq “Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey”, 30660 adolescent and adult women (15-49 years old) responded to questions on life satisfaction, happiness and social variables. Linear and logistic regression was used to investigate the associations with life satisfaction and happiness. Life satisfaction was a mean of 6.1 (range 0-10) and the prevalence of happiness (somewhat or very) was 68.6%. In adjusted linear or logistic regression analyses, younger age (15-25 years), higher wealth status, ever internet use, and had a feeling of being very safe in their neighbourhood and/or at home were associated with both life satisfaction and happiness. In addition, residing in the Kurdistan region was positively associated with life satisfaction, and having their own mobile phone was associated with happiness. Compared to women who got married before the age of 18 years, women who got married when they were 18 years or older were more likely to have higher life satisfaction and happiness. Women who were never married, had a functional difficulty, had experienced robbery and/or assault in the past three years, and had experienced any discrimination in the past 12 months had lower life satisfaction and lower happiness. The study found that majority of Iraqi adolescents and adult women reported being satisfied with their lives and were happy. Several factors associated with life satisfaction and happiness were identified, which may help in developing interventions.

Key words: Life satisfaction, happiness, adolescents, women, Iraq