JNSS 2025, 16(3-4):57-67 | DOI: 10.32725/jnss.2025.010

Exploring family communication as a predictor of happiness

Armin Nuhić1, *, Denis Karahasanović2, Mirzeta Nuhić3, Rebeka Lekše ORCID...4, Mirko Prosen ORCID...4
1 General Hospital Izola, Izola Emergency Centre, Izola, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
3 General Hospital Izola, Division of Internal Medicine, Izola, Slovenia
4 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Izola, Slovenia

Introduction: Family communication is a key factor in shaping an individual's psychological well-being and subjective happiness. This study aimed to examine the association between the quality of family communication and subjective happiness in the general population.

Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive design was used. Data were collected through an online questionnaire including the Family Communication Scale (FCS) and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS). The sample included 125 participants ( = 34.28 years). Both scales showed high internal consistency (FCS α = 0.924; SHS α = 0.796). Due to non-normal distribution, non-parametric tests and Spearman's correlation were applied.

Results: Participants reported above-average family communication ( = 37.81; s = 7.56) and relatively high subjective happiness ( = 20.43; s = 4.60). A moderately strong positive correlation was found between family communication and happiness (rs = 0.489; n = 125; p < 0.001). Discussion and conclusion: Individuals who perceive family communication as more open and emotionally supportive report greater happiness. These findings highlight the importance of fostering emotionally intelligent family interactions as a protective factor for mental health.

Keywords: Emotional support; Interpersonal relationships; Psychological well-being; Resilience
Conflicts of interest:

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Received: June 25, 2025; Revised: August 14, 2025; Accepted: October 9, 2025; Prepublished online: October 9, 2025; Published: December 12, 2025  Show citation

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Nuhić A, Karahasanović D, Nuhić M, Lekše R, Prosen M. Exploring family communication as a predictor of happiness. Journal of Nursing, Social Studies, Public Health and Rehabilitation. 2025;16(3-4):57-67. doi: 10.32725/jnss.2025.010.
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