Predicting Life Satisfaction in Iranian Military Personnel based on Self-Esteem and Happiness

Military personnel plays a vital role in the security of the country. One of the basic steps to increase their life satisfaction is to recognize happiness and self-esteem. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to examine the relationship between happiness, life satisfaction, and self-esteem among military personnel.

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on all military personnel in Tehran in 2020. 317 Military personnel participated through the census method. Data collection instruments included the Persian versions of the 29-item Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, the 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale, the 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem. Data were explored using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis.

The mean age of participants was 33.4±8.32 years. The mean±SD for Life satisfaction (SWLS), Self-esteem, and happiness were 24.70±7.09, 31.20±5.72, and 75.01±13.20, respectively. The results obtained from the ordinary least-square (OLS) regression indicated that life satisfaction was significantly associated with economic status, happiness, and self-esteem (R2: 0.39). The correlations between happiness, self-esteem and life satisfaction were 0.41 and 0.47, respectively.

Military personnel has moderate life satisfaction, happiness, and self-esteem. In addition, the findings suggest that their life satisfaction is associated with happiness and self-esteem.