An Analysis of the Link between Money and Happiness: Couples’ Perspective

Abstract

The previous studies had reported a complex relationship between money and happiness in Western dual earner couples. Therefore, the present study was conducted with an aim to explore the views of Pakistani dual earner couples on the relationship between money and happiness. The study used a mixed quantitative and qualitative exploratory interview-based research design. A total of 11 dual earner couples were recruited randomly to participate in the study. A data collection form was created using Google Forms which contained the informed consent, demographic information form, and semi structured interview form. The Google Form was distributed through social media platforms due to COVID-19 lockdown in Pakistan. The data was analyzed by the software, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25 and thematic analysis technique for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Around 73% of the participants reported that happiness could not be bought from money while only 27% reported buying happiness from money. The thematic analysis generated themes for both types of participants which were expressed through different tables detailing codes and examples as well. The themes of 73% people were money kills happiness, emotion, and relationships. The themes of 27% of people were necessity of life, and source of happiness. The study proposed to conduct further studies by including participants from other segments of society too and introducing a compulsory curriculum of happiness and wellbeing at school level to inculcate the happiness in the lives of people.