- Survey indicates contentment fell for the third year in a row; those over 65 hit the hardest
- Experts say the end of the pandemic did not bring a solution to all problems and things ‘cannot be solved overnight’
Hong Kong family happiness has fallen to 6-year low as post-coronavirus stress continues to impact well-being, researchers say. Photo: Eugene LeeHong Kong families have seen their happiness level drop to the lowest in six years with stress post the Covid-19 pandemic still impacting people’s well-being, a new study has revealed.
The survey, which asked people to rate how happy their family was on a scale of zero to 10, registered a fall for the third year in a row to 6.43, and the lowest score since the first poll using the same format was conducted in 2019, when the score was 6.89.
About 55.7 per cent of the 1,316 respondents to the survey by HK.WeCARE, a concern group under Wofoo Social Enterprises and the Lee Kum Kee Family Foundation, reported a rating of seven and above in the family happiness index, a drop of 5 percentage points on last year.
Those aged 65 or more recorded the most significant year-on-year drop in their family happiness, from 7.37 to 6.5.
Another index that measured their personal happiness also fell, down from 7.29 to 6.63.
“The end of the pandemic does not mean the end of all problems,” Shek Tan-lei, the chair professor of applied social sciences at Polytechnic University and a former chairman of the Family Council, said.
Gloomy youth pull US and western Europe down global happiness ranking
“They cannot be solved overnight like turning off a switch.”
Researchers for the survey, carried out every year since 2018, except for 2020 because of the coronavirus, found that family well-being could be affected by the individual happiness of members.
The team found that if respondents were not happy themselves, they were less likely to feel positive about the contentment of their families.
The average score for personal happiness in the survey dropped from 6.81 in 2021 to 6.2 this year.
Hong Kong ranked 86th among 143 countries and regions in the World Happiness Report released by the United Nations last week.
Its rating in the UN poll has also slipped over the past three years, down nine places from 77th in 2021.
Researchers said they believed the significant drop in the scores among elderly people was related to the trend towards emigration in recent years.
“Many people have emigrated from Hong Kong to other countries in the past few years, leaving behind elders who need support,” Chak Tung-ching, the director of Hong Kong Christian Service and the Wofoo community service network steering committee, said.
Why saying ‘I don’t care’ can hurt communication – and relationships
“Apart from that, seniors might have a lack of resources to cope with the post pandemic situation and face increasing carers’ responsibilities, such as the need to take care of their partner and grandchildren,” he added.
Simon Lam-ching, a professor and associate dean of the school of nursing at Tung Wah College, said good communication was the key to happier families and relationships.
“We found that when disagreement arises in a Hong Kong family, not enough people will try to discuss the problem openly,” Lam added. “Men tend to avoid communication more often than women.”
The family happiness index survey is part of a family-focused campaign by Wofoo Social Enterprises.
The group plans to hold a no-phone dining challenge in more than 20 restaurants from July, when families dining without their electronic devices can get a discount.
It will also hold a Hong Kong Happiness Summit from December 17-18.