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Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025)

April 2025

Happiness in the early childhood education workforce: An explanatory sequential mixed method study

  • Julia Pangalangan
  • Emily Mauirro
  • Charlotte Farewell
  • Jini Puma

Journal of Happiness and Health, Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025), 10 April 2025 , Page 32-41
https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v5i1.101 Published: 06.04.2025

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Abstract

The early childcare and education (ECE) workforce shapes the developmental outcomes of children during critical years of growth. Despite facing historically low wages and high demands, the ECE workforce is happier than the general population in the U.S., with happiness levels comparable to Iceland and other top-ranking countries. PERMA, a model that identifies five elements that contribute to flourishing (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment), can been used to promote wellbeing. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study aimed to investigate the work-related PERMA components that predict happiness levels in the early childhood (ECE) workforce. A hierarchical linear regression revealed that the PERMA components did significantly predict happiness in this sample of ECE staff, R2 = 0.20, F(10,244) = 5.96, p <.001. Engagement, positive emotions, and meaning at work were found to significantly account for the variance in happiness, after controlling for the other variables in the model. Qualitative interviews provided further insight into perceptions of happiness among ECE staff, supporting the value of relationships and meaning in ECE settings. This is the first mixed methods study to assess predictors and perceptions of happiness in the ECE workforce and has important research and practice implications for supporting mental health in this critical population.  

Keywords:
  • Happiness, early childhood workforce, occupational health, PERMA model, well-being, positive psychology
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How to Cite

Pangalangan, J., Mauirro, E., Farewell, C., & Puma, J. (2025). Happiness in the early childhood education workforce: An explanatory sequential mixed method study. Journal of Happiness and Health, 5(1), 32–41. https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v5i1.101
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Journal of Happiness and Health (JOHAH) is a peer-reviewed journal covering happiness and provides an international forum for the science of happiness and health. The JOHAH, which is published two times a year, is an open-access that publishes research outcomes with significant contributions to the understanding and improvement of happiness and health and publishes research regarding the happiness of populations across the life span. The journal publishes research free from all access barriers, allowing for global distribution and more citations.

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