Family happiness among people in a Southeast Asian city: Grounded theory study

Happiness is a fundamental human aspiration. However, many families live in places where the cost of living is high, and there is a need for people to balance their lives to maintain happiness. This study explored the characteristics of happiness for families living in a city in Thailand. A grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyze data. Thirteen participants were recruited into the study by purposive sampling based on a set of inclusion criteria, followed by theoretical sampling. The findings demonstrated that living together without financial problems was a core category of family happiness, which involved close connections, caring for one another and financial security. Families needed to balance these components when facing stress, using coping methods to restore happiness. To enhance family happiness, health professionals should focus on caring and communication within families, including coping techniques to maintain family happiness.