This study examines how happiness and self-esteem are related in young adults. It highlights the importance of promoting positive self-esteem and happiness for overall well-being. The  scales used in this study where The Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale was developed by Dr. Morris Rosenberg (1965) as a 10 item self-report measure and Oxford Happiness Inventory Questionnaire developed by Michael Argyle and Hills (2002) as a 29- item scale. The study consists of 175 young adults of age 18- 25 both male (85) and female (90) from Calicut district of Kerala state. The participants belong to both urban and rural areas. A t-test and correlation analysis was conducted, revealing a significant positive correlation between happiness and self-esteem, suggesting that higher levels of happiness are associated with higher self-esteem. Notably, no significant differences were found in happiness and self-esteem levels across gender or locality. The findings underscore the importance of fostering positive self-esteem and happiness for overall well-being, highlighting the role of factors like social support, personal achievement, and coping mechanisms in promoting mental health. This study provides insights for developing interventions focused on building resilience, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence among young adults.

Ms. Sneha Binu is an MSc. Psychology student at Alphonse College, Thiruvambady. She is conducting a research study on happiness and self-esteem among young adults in Kozhikode. Her areas of interest include positive psychology, mental health, self-concept, and well-being.  She has actively participated in the academic community and has presented research papers at various national and international conferences, reflecting her commitment and dedication to academic growth and research quality.

Ms. Anuvinda MK is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Alphonse College, Thiruvambady. She has presented research papers in academic forums and has guided students in their academic and research activities. Her areas of interest include psychology and related applied domains.

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