The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adults
Introduction Joy is a fundamental yet underexplored emotion that plays a critical role in well-being and happiness. Despite its significance, little research has examined how individuals cultivate, experience, and lose joy, particularly in relation to its interplay with other emotions and broader as...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2508946 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850108632942772224 |
|---|---|
| author | Maria Roberts Richard Appiah |
| author_facet | Maria Roberts Richard Appiah |
| author_sort | Maria Roberts |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Joy is a fundamental yet underexplored emotion that plays a critical role in well-being and happiness. Despite its significance, little research has examined how individuals cultivate, experience, and lose joy, particularly in relation to its interplay with other emotions and broader aspects of well-being. This study explored the subjective and contextual dimensions of joy among UK adults, including how it is cultivated, lost, and related to the broader aspects of well-being. Methods Using an exploratory qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 adults aged 28–59 years. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in participants’ experiences of joy, its influences, and impact on well-being. Results Four key themes were constructed: The Dynamics of Joy in Everyday Life, Determinants of Joy: Influences and Barriers, Impact of Joylessness: Coping Behaviours, and Strategies for Cultivating Joy. Joy was perceived as a distinct, profound emotion, often intertwined with gratitude and love. Barriers to joy included negative relationships, societal pressures, and emotional burdens, whereas fostering positive relationships, engaging with nature, and cultivating self-awareness were identified as key strategies for sustaining joy. Discussion Findings highlight joy as a complex emotion, distinct from happiness and shaped by individual, relational, and cultural contexts. The study offers insight into joy’s emotional and psychological impact, the challenges of its loss, and the enduring value of joyful memories. Participants also shared practical suggestions for cultivating joy, which may inform well-being initiatives in community, educational, or therapeutic settings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-866581b22aad4df0a57bbfc7e15d1a33 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1748-2623 1748-2631 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| spelling | doaj-art-866581b22aad4df0a57bbfc7e15d1a332025-08-20T02:38:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312025-12-0120110.1080/17482631.2025.25089462508946The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adultsMaria Roberts0Richard Appiah1Northumbria UniversityNorthumbria UniversityIntroduction Joy is a fundamental yet underexplored emotion that plays a critical role in well-being and happiness. Despite its significance, little research has examined how individuals cultivate, experience, and lose joy, particularly in relation to its interplay with other emotions and broader aspects of well-being. This study explored the subjective and contextual dimensions of joy among UK adults, including how it is cultivated, lost, and related to the broader aspects of well-being. Methods Using an exploratory qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 adults aged 28–59 years. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in participants’ experiences of joy, its influences, and impact on well-being. Results Four key themes were constructed: The Dynamics of Joy in Everyday Life, Determinants of Joy: Influences and Barriers, Impact of Joylessness: Coping Behaviours, and Strategies for Cultivating Joy. Joy was perceived as a distinct, profound emotion, often intertwined with gratitude and love. Barriers to joy included negative relationships, societal pressures, and emotional burdens, whereas fostering positive relationships, engaging with nature, and cultivating self-awareness were identified as key strategies for sustaining joy. Discussion Findings highlight joy as a complex emotion, distinct from happiness and shaped by individual, relational, and cultural contexts. The study offers insight into joy’s emotional and psychological impact, the challenges of its loss, and the enduring value of joyful memories. Participants also shared practical suggestions for cultivating joy, which may inform well-being initiatives in community, educational, or therapeutic settings.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2508946joyemotional well-beingmental healthhappinesspositive psychologyunited kingdom |
| spellingShingle | Maria Roberts Richard Appiah The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adults International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being joy emotional well-being mental health happiness positive psychology united kingdom |
| title | The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adults |
| title_full | The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adults |
| title_fullStr | The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adults |
| title_short | The complexities of joy: a qualitative study of joy cultivation, loss of joy, and happiness in British adults |
| title_sort | complexities of joy a qualitative study of joy cultivation loss of joy and happiness in british adults |
| topic | joy emotional well-being mental health happiness positive psychology united kingdom |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2508946 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mariaroberts thecomplexitiesofjoyaqualitativestudyofjoycultivationlossofjoyandhappinessinbritishadults AT richardappiah thecomplexitiesofjoyaqualitativestudyofjoycultivationlossofjoyandhappinessinbritishadults AT mariaroberts complexitiesofjoyaqualitativestudyofjoycultivationlossofjoyandhappinessinbritishadults AT richardappiah complexitiesofjoyaqualitativestudyofjoycultivationlossofjoyandhappinessinbritishadults |