The study of nursing student's gratification and hilarity as a mental health index

Psychologists and Sociologists believe that happiness affects the psychological, social, educational and cultural dimensions of all individuals. So to pay attention to this issue as an indicator of student's mental health is very important. Therefore, assessment of nursing students’ happiness is very important because they are encountered to multiple stresses and tensions. The aim of this study was to investigate the happiness status of Abhar's nursing students and also its correlation with sex, age, marriage, educational course, and the number of family members. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted between 2007-2008 in Abhar School of nursing. In this study the Iranian version of Oxford Happiness Inventory was used to measure the students’ happiness status. After providing written informed consent questionnaires were distributed among 75 samples and finally 64 students (17=male, 47=female) were measured. Then, the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and appropriate tests like independent-t and one-way ANOVA, by SPSS software version 11.5. Data analysis showed that 17.5% of students had low level of happiness, 69.8% reasonable level and 12.7% were very happy. There was no significant association between the level of happiness and gender (P=0.7), marital status (P=0.4) and age (P=0.2). But, there was significant relationship between happiness and educational terms (P=0.01). Based on this study only 12.7% of students were very happy and two groups of junior and senior students were less cheerful. So, it is necessary to consider appropriate plans and interventions to improve and retain the happiness of nursing students in the acceptable levels and thus improve their mental health. Key words: Happiness, mental health, nursing students.