title: Happiness: theoretical and empirical considerations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although happiness is important in maintaining health, few studies of happiness can be found in the nursing literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper explicates the concept of happiness through examination of its defining attributes, antecedents, consequences, and measurement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review using hand search, and databases were used as sources of information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The information provided can be used in clinical practice so that nursing strategies can be developed and tested to help people to become happy and healthy.
authors.affiliation: Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Alexandria, Egypt. akb7@case.edu
authors.forename: Abir K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bekhet
authors.forename: Jaclene A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Zauszniewski
authors.forename: Wagdy E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Nakhla
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D003210:Concept Formation; D006240:Happiness; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009742:Nursing Theory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires