A Structural Equation Model of Nurses' Happiness

Purpose: This study sought to construct and empirically test a structural equation model explaining the factors influencing happiness among nurses in South Korea based on the Integrated Theory of Happiness.Methods: A total of 250 nurses working at a university hospital in Gyeonggi Province participated. Social support, job satisfaction, and gratitude were conceptualized as exogenous variables, while resilience and happiness were defined as endogenous variables. Self-report questionnaires were used to obtain information from October 21 to November 30, 2024, and were analyzed through descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation analysis, followed by structural equation modeling conducted(SPSS 26.0, AMOS 26.0).Results: The proposed model demonstrated an overall acceptable fit (<i>x</i><sup>2</sup>=346.57, <i>x</i><sup>2</sup>/df=2.79, CFI=.93, IFI=.93, SRMR=.06), although the RMSEA value (.06) slightly exceeded the pre-specified acceptable threshold and should be interpreted cautiously. Approximately 74.7% of the variability in happiness was accounted for by the model. Job satisfaction (β=.66, <i>p</i><.001), gratitude (β=.28, <i>p</i><.001), and resilience (β=.62, <i>p</i><.001) had significant positive effects on happiness, whereas social support was not significant. Resilience was positively influenced by job satisfaction and gratitude, accounting for 53.1% of its variance.Conclusion: Happiness among nurses is primarily influenced by job satisfaction, gratitude, and resilience. Interventions designed to enhance these factors may improve nurses' well-being, job retention, and ultimately the quality of healthcare services.