JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Xingfu, in Chinese 幸福, with meanings transcending Western concepts of happiness, is modern and highly valued in China.

Objective:

We developed a one-item scale to directly measure perceived xingfu (PX; 幸福感) and studied its association with health-related and socioeconomic factors.

Methods:

Our cross-sectional online survey included 5,070 Hong Kong Chinese adults in 2023. PX was measured using a single item on a scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating better PX. Two-week test-retest showed high reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.78). We used regression models to analyse the associations of PX score and high PX (≥7) with mutually adjusted study factors, weighted based on 2022 Hong Kong population data.

Results:

The mean PX was 6.3 (SD=2.2). PX score was associated with happiness (r=0.85), perceived mental health (r=0.65), adversity coping capability (r=0.50); negatively associated with perceived stress (r=-0.56), past 7-days loneliness (r=-0.52), anxiety symptoms (r=-0.45), and depressive symptoms (r=-0.52). Being female (β=0.69, aOR=2.11) and older (β=0.46, aOR=2.67), having post-secondary education or above (β=0.19, aOR=1.35), higher monthly household income (≥HKD60,000: β=0.99, aOR=3.04), living in owned properties (β=0.27, aOR=1.57), being retired (β=0.56), and excellent vs poor self-rated health (β=3.84, aOR=40.72) were associated with higher PX score or high PX (all Ps or Ps for trend <0.001).

Conclusions:

We first reported perceived xingfu (PX) in Chinese, showed socioeconomic disparities and PX was associated with happiness and health indicators. The one-item tool could be further studied and used to monitor PX.