Researchers from York University in Canada explored what shapes daily happiness and overall life satisfaction, presenting their findings in the Journal of Happiness Research. The study examines how people in Canada and the United States assess happiness and what underpins those judgments, offering a cross-border perspective on well-being.
The analysis drew on data from the 2016 General Social Survey in Canada and parallel datasets from the United States, enabling meaningful comparisons across two neighboring nations while highlighting shared and distinct factors that influence life satisfaction.
The researchers found that satisfaction with appearance emerges as a significant driver of happiness. Yet close behind are the quality of family time, an active social life, and a dependable support network that people can lean on during tough moments. These elements consistently shape how content individuals feel day to day, regardless of other circumstances.
Career progress, earnings, and other work-related aspects received relatively lower scores in relation to overall happiness. The findings suggest that job titles or pay scales matter less than the day-to-day experiences and personal connections that color one’s sense of well‑being.
Across income levels, stress from work, pressures within the family, and health concerns exert a moderate negative influence on happiness. At the same time, the overall quality of health stands out as a stronger positive predictor of life satisfaction, underscoring the central role of physical well-being in how people feel about life.
Marital status showed a notable association with life satisfaction, with married individuals reporting higher happiness levels than those living alone or in other arrangements. This pattern held across the Canadian and American samples, suggesting social and emotional support linked to partnerships can contribute to a steadier sense of contentment.
The data also indicated gender differences in self-rated happiness, with women reporting higher levels of happiness than men in the surveyed populations. These nuances add depth to the understanding of how social roles, expectations, and experiences shape well-being for different groups.
Earlier research has observed that residents in some developing countries report higher average happiness than people in more developed regions. While the reasons vary—structural, cultural, and economic—these findings remind researchers that perceived well-being results from a complex mix of personal circumstances and societal context.