Factors and Indicators of Creating Happiness in High School Academic Environment

Abstract: This study aimed to identify the factors and indicators of happiness in high school educational environments using a qualitative research method. The study population included experts in education and psychology, especially happiness. In addition, the research sample consisted of 21 experts who were selected by purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Semi-structured interviews were applied to collect the required data. In this research, first, factors, components, and indicators were identified based on theoretical and research literature and interviews with experts, and then the experts were graded based on a 10-point Likert-type scale in terms of importance. Finally, the data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. The findings revealed that according to the interviewees, creating happiness in the educational environments of secondary schools depends on five factors, 14 components, and 59 indicators. These factors and indicators included physical space (visual space, facilities, and space design) and educational (cultural-artistic) activities (exciting situations and holding extracurricular workshops). Further, the other factors were academic activities (job skills and personal characteristics of school staff, quality of academic contents, and scientific-research activities), student characteristics (moral-social, emotional-psychological, physical, and family characteristics), and school earnings (formal and informal financial contributions). The respondents believed that these factors affect happiness in secondary schools. In general, the findings of the present study can be used in designing interventions to improve the level of happiness in high schools.