The Relationship Between Happiness and Caring Behaviors in Nurses: A Descriptive-Analytical Study

Background: Caring behaviors encompass the supportive actions undertaken by nurses to assist patients, with the primary aim of reducing the duration of illness. Enhanced happiness may positively influence these behaviors, which are essential for nurses in maintaining and promoting patient health. Objectives: This study investigates the factors affecting the happiness of Iranian nurses and examines whether increased happiness correlates with improved caring behaviors. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study employed random sampling to survey 220 nurses in Isfahan, Iran, in 2024. Data were collected through questionnaires evaluating demographics, happiness (measured by the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire-Short Form), and caring behaviors. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients in SPSS V.23. Results: The Iranian nurses in this study demonstrated above-average happiness (mean score: 34.48 ± 5.82). Happiness showed a significant correlation with caring behaviors (P < 0.05) and was also significantly associated with gender, work experience, and income level. No significant associations were found between happiness and age, marital status, education, employment type, or department (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Higher levels of nurse happiness are associated with improved caring behaviors, suggesting that initiatives aimed at enhancing nurse happiness can lead to better quality of patient care. It is imperative for government and healthcare organizations to prioritize programs and policies that focus on increasing nurse satisfaction to improve healthcare outcomes.