Psychometric Properties of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short Form in University Students

This study aimed at exploring psychometric properties of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire short form. To this end, 494 university students were randomly selected from different universities located in Tehran city. The research instruments were the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Results of a Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire measures happiness as a unidimensional construct. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was found to be 0.71 for whole population, 0.71 for female and 0.70 for male samples which is satisfactory. Results of a Pearson correlation revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between the short and long form happiness questionnaire’s scores, satisfaction with life, and self-esteem. Also, the female university students’ mean score was higher than their male counterparts. The results of the research indicated that the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short Form has acceptable psychometric characteristics among university students and it can be used as a valid instrument in psychological research.