The effect of adaptive capacity, culture and employment status on happiness among married expatriate women residing in Dubai

Happiness has been reported to influence and be influenced by internal and external factors. Among expatriate women, cultural background, employment status, and coping ability seem to influence happiness. In the present study we investigated the effects of culture and employment status on happiness whilst controlling for self-reported resilience as a measure for adaptive capacity in 127 married expatriate women living with their immediate families in Dubai. These expatriate women were assessed using the 14-item Resilience Scale, the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and a questionnaire containing an open-ended question regarding reasons for participants’ current employment status. Responses to the open-ended question were thematically analyzed. ANCOVA analysis revealed that adaptive capacity was significantly related to happiness. However no significant differences in happiness emerged between women from individualistic and collectivistic cultures and between employed and unemployed women. The reported frequency of qualitative themes did not differ with regards to employment status. Our results indicate adaptive capacity as a main driver of happiness within expatriate women.