Exploring family communication as a predictor of happiness

Introduction: Family communication is a key factor in shaping an individual's psychological well-being and subjective happiness. This study aimed to examine the association between the quality of family communication and subjective happiness in the general population. Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive design was used. Data were collected through an online questionnaire including the Family Communication Scale (FCS) and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS). The sample included 125 participants (𝑥̅ = 34.28 years). Both scales showed high internal consistency (FCS α = 0.924; SHS α = 0.796). Due to non-normal distribution, non-parametric tests and Spearman's correlation were applied. Results: Participants reported above-average family communication (𝑥̅= 37.81; s = 7.56) and relatively high subjective happiness (𝑥̅= 20.43; s = 4.60). A moderately strong positive correlation was found between family communication and happiness (rs = 0.489; <i>n </i>= 125; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Discussion and conclusion: Individuals who perceive family communication as more open and emotionally supportive report greater happiness. These findings highlight the importance of fostering emotionally intelligent family interactions as a protective factor for mental health.