Traditionally, happiness has been equated with life satisfaction, but recent research suggests that this definition may be too narrow. Across nations, laypeople emphasize the primacy of inner harmony and relational connections when defining happiness. These findings highlight the importance of considering psychological constructs like inner harmony and social relations in addition to life satisfaction.
Culture plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of happiness. National and cultural differences emerge in the definitions of happiness, influenced by cultural dimensions such as individualism/collectivism and value-related dimensions. For instance, Eastern cultures often prioritize harmony, whereas Western cultures focus more on individual success. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial for fostering harmonious existence in multicultural societies and promoting an authentic bio-psycho-social view of health.