Happiness Research in India: Trends, Gaps, and Future Directions: A Bibliometric Analysis

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Page: 487-493

Muhammed Rafid K¹ and Anil Jose P. S.² (Department of Psychology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram¹ and Department of Psychology, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, Kerala²)

This bibliometric analysis maps the evolution of happiness research in India (1969-2024) using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix to analyze 1,922 Scopus-indexed articles. It reveals three growth phases: minimal activity pre-2000, gradual expansion post-2001, and exponential growth post-2010. While prominent international journals like the Journal of Happiness Studies and PLOS ONE dominate globally, Indian publications concentrate on culturally specific studies with limited worldwide impact. Pioneering scholars bridge gaps in workplace well-being, socio-demographic determinants, and culturally adapted tools like the Happiness at Work Scale. Emerging trends integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability with a traditional focus on spirituality and resilience. Despite systemic underinvestment in social sciences, India’s emphasis on eudaimonic well-being offers novel insights for global positive psychology. The study calls for context-sensitive frameworks to improve India’s low World Happiness Index ranking by balancing cultural specificity with interdisciplinary innovation, despite limitations such as language bias and database constraints.