Lay theories of happiness in the east and west

This study examines lay theories and demographic correlates of happiness in Britain, China (Hong Kong) and Japan among comparable groups. 311 young pe ople completed a questionnaire measuring lay theories of happiness (COHQ) a nd the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI). The British participants reported highest levels of happiness. The 36 causes factored into six internally coh erent and interpretable factors. Only one of the six factors significantly correlated (r = .21, p < .05 to r = .34, p < .01) with the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) scores. Path analysis, using the OHI as the dependent vari able showed that among the lay theory factors, only lay theories about achi evement and freedom in life and work was a direct predictor. The role and f unction of lay theories with respect to happiness are discussed.