Individual Happiness as a
Function of Regular, Physical Exercise
-By G. A. Odell (Summer 2005)
Northern Virginia Community College - Alexandria, VA
Abstract
Does regular, physical exercise contribute to better satisfaction of life? Numerous, published research on this topic has established a direct correlation between exercise and personal life satisfaction (or happiness). I sought to maintain this scientific theory by attempting to establish a positive correlation between exercise and happiness through surveying over 100 students of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). The survey was used as an instrument (compiled by myself and my fellow students in my research methods psychology class) for measuring happiness within a population by nonprobability sampling. However, after compiling all sample data, and calculating all correlation coefficients, there were not enough substantial correlations between happiness and exercise to prove my hypothesis. I tried to establish a correlation between overall health and happiness, but the only group to show a strong correlation was the men sampled in the study. While my findings have proven my hypothesis to be incorrect, I do not question the previous research done on this topic. If I were to redo this study, I would probably try a different approach to gathering the data, since I believe the methods used in this study were not sufficient enough to prove that individual happiness is a function of regular, physical exercise.
Individual Happiness as a Function of Regular, Physical Exercise
Individual Happiness can be defined in many different ways such as euphoria, positive excitement, and satisfaction (to name a few). Happiness, depending on its context, can be a simple, fleeting feeling lasting only a short time, or a state of mind that lasts for longer periods of time. Therefore, in recognizing its many diverse meanings, “happiness” will therefore be operationally defined as satisfaction of life.
Based on my previous knowledge, my theory is that exercise is one of the most crucial factors in determining overall satisfaction of life. It has been demonstrated time and again that exercise is very beneficial in increasing longevity, physical health, and psychological well being (Thayer, 2001). The healthier a person is (physically, emotionally, and mentally), the more their personal life satisfaction rating increases. Research has overwhelmingly proven that exercise can improve physical problems, emotional and cognitive ability, increase higher levels of thinking, and combat depression and anxiety (DeAngelis, 2002).
My hypothesis is that individuals who exercise regularly each week tend to be more satisfied with their life then those who exercise less, or not at all. I plan to prove my hypothesis by measuring how often individuals within the survey population exercise against how high they score on overall satisfaction of life. Life satisfaction will be measured within the population to determine how many individuals, on average, exercise regularly each week, as well as the degree to which they are satisfied with their life. Should my hypothesis prove correct, positive correlations will be drawn between levels of overall weekly exercise and overall levels of personal happiness. Levels of Exercise and Happiness will be measured surveying a population of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) students by administering a questionnaire modeled after Diener’s “The Satisfaction of Life Scale,” which is designed to measure an individual’s overall satisfaction with life (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, Griffin, 1985).
Method
Participants
The questionnaire used in the survey consisted, in part, of questions from Diener’s scale, which measures overall life satisfaction, and partly of questions compiled by students of NVCC’s Research Methods for Behavioral Sciences class. A rating scale of 1-7 accompanied each survey question, with “one” as the lowest score, and “seven” the highest (Diener et al, 1985). Over 100 paper copies of the survey were printed, handed out to participants, along with a pen or pencil, in order to fill out the questionnaires.
The Cross sectional study on personal happiness was administered to the participants using the nonprobability sampling approach. Individual students of NVCC’s Alexandria Campus were arbitrarily selected, and were asked if they would like to participate in a class survey on personal happiness. Each participant was then administered the questionnaire to fill out at their leisure. When complete, the participant was instructed to hand in their questionnaire to the research student present, and was informed that their recorded information would be kept confidential, and no personal information (i.e. name, social security number, etc.) would be required for the survey. The average time spent completing the questionnaire was about 15 to 20 minutes per person.
To examine individual happiness as a function of regular, physical exercise, correlations were drawn from the collection of data from each participant’s answers to the survey questions on the questionnaire. Of the 107 NVCC students surveyed, there was a weak, negative correlation (R = -0.05, p ≤ 0.05) between levels of overall personal happiness and levels of regular, weekly, physical exercise. There was also a weak, positive correlation (R = 0.16, p ≤ 0.05) between levels of overall personal happiness and levels of overall health satisfaction. A strong, positive correlation (R = 0.68, p ≤ 0.05) was noted between levels of overall health satisfaction and personal diet. There was also a strong, positive correlation (R = 0.31, p ≤ 0.05) between levels of weekly, physical fitness and satisfaction from volunteering for a social cause.
Of the 53 men surveyed in the study, the following correlations were drawn: There were strong, positive correlations (highest three levels noted) between levels of overall satisfaction of health and levels of active family relationships (R = 0.79, p ≤ 0.05), sense of control (R = 0.63, p ≤ 0.05), and personal spirituality (R = 0.54, p ≤ 0.05). There was also a strong, positive correlation between levels of overall health and overall happiness ratings (R = 0.37, p ≤ 0.05). A weak, negative correlation was drawn between levels of weekly exercise and overall happiness ratings (R = -0.05, p ≤ 0.05). There was a strong, positive correlation between weekly exercise and opinions of NVCC’s immigration resources (R = 0.31, p ≤ 0.05). However, a strong, negative correlation was also noted between levels of weekly exercise and immigration status (R = -0.34, p ≤ 0.05).
Of the 54 women surveyed in the study, the following correlations were drawn: There was a weak, negative, correlation between levels of overall health and overall happiness (R = -0.02, p ≤ 0.05). A weak, negative correlation was also noted between levels of weekly exercise and overall happiness (R = -0.07, p ≤ 0.05). There were strong, positive correlations (highest three levels noted) drawn between levels of overall health satisfaction and job status (R = 0.33, p ≤ 0.05), levels of stress (R = 0.39, p ≤ 0.05), and personal diet (R = 0.58, p ≤ 0.05). There were also strong, positive correlations (highest three levels) drawn from levels of weekly physical fitness and volunteering for a social cause (R = 0.37, p ≤ 0.05), personal diet (R = 0.31, p ≤ 0.05), and age (R = 0.36, p ≤ 0.05). A strong, negative correlation was drawn between levels of weekly physical fitness and number of credit hours taken during the summer semester (R = -0.32, p ≤ 0.05).
In conclusion to my cross-sectional research findings, I found no substantial correlation indicating that regular, physical exercise is a function of personal happiness – thus disproving my hypothesis. This conclusion grossly negates previous studies on the subject, which leads me to believe that my operational definition of happiness was inconsistent with the independent variable (exercise). Satisfaction of life is a broad concept that can be interpreted in many different ways by many individuals. There are many diverse areas or needs that can contribute to satisfaction of life, depending on the individual, such as personal relationships, family life, socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity, education or career goals, job satisfaction, etc.
Volunteering for a social cause was strongly associated with exercise among the women surveyed, as well as the overall participants in general. This is probably due to the adrenaline rush that one may experience from physical exercise and motivation (or passion) for a cause. Among the women surveyed, however, the more credit hours taken in college, the less time was spent exercising. This is probably due to the fact that school can take up a lot of time, thus not leaving a whole lot of room for exercise.
I chose overall satisfaction of health to serve as reinforcement for my hypothesis. However, these correlations were not very substantial, either. Of the 107 participants, men were the only ones who displayed a strong correlation between health and happiness. Men also seemed to feel healthiest when they have an active relationship with their families, whereas women seem to feel healthiest when they are on a healthy diet.
If I were to repeat this survey, the first thing I would probably do is change the operational definition of happiness to euphoria, or satisfaction with one’s health. I would also like to look further into exploring the correlation between a healthy mind and a healthy body. Hays (2002) refers to the “mindbody” concept of the psychological benefits of exercise: “The connection between our minds and bodies is such an interactive interconnected experience that there is a seamless loop relating to feeling good.” In other words, one can argue that body and mind are one in the same, and that a healthy body equals a healthy mind, and vice versa (Hays, 2002).
There are probably many various reasons why the survey did not yield the kind of results I expected. Aside from the operational definition being insufficient, I believe that one must also take into account the common social desirability many survey participants frequently display when filling out a questionnaire (Shaughnessy, Zechmeister, and Zechmeister, 1985/2003).
References
DeAngelis, T. (2002). If you do just one thing, make it exercise; Psychologists' research and clinical experience show the critical importance of weaving exercise into your life. Monitor on Psychology, 33(7), 49. Retrieved May 23, 2005, from http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug02/exercise.html
Diener, E., Emmons, R., Larsen, J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction of Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75.
Hays, K. F., (2002). Move your body, tone your mood: the workout therapy workbook: A scientifically proven program to help you ease anxiety, lift depression, manage stress, and enjoy your body. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger
Thayer, R. E. (2001). Calm energy: How people regulate mood with food and exercise. New York: Oxford University Press
Shaughnessy, J. J., Zechmeister, E. B., & Zechmeister, J. S., (2003). Research methods in psychology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (Original work published 1985).
Copyright © G. A. Odell 2006
