Well-being in the United Arab Emirates: How Findings From Positive Psychology Can Inform Government Programs and Research

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a minister of happiness was selected to start initiatives that could enhance citizen well-being. One major early accomplishment was starting the Program for Happiness. This program focuses on three main pillars: 1) include consideration of citizen happiness and well-being in every governmental program and policy; 2) promote happiness and well-being as an important part of one’s lifestyle; and 3) develop tools to measure national happiness and well-being. Though these projects have already made a positive impact, especially in organizational contexts, one major aspect of UAE culture was not included – religion. As an Islamic country, religion plays a vital role for most citizens in the UAE. Religion is considered to be a part of life that most people in UAE practice on a daily basis. Therefore, religion likely plays an important role in the well-being of many citizens in the UAE. This capstone will address well-being in the UAE while also discussing the specific role of religion. First, it will describe the UAE happiness initiative’s past, present, and future. Second, it will analyze some of the projects under the Program for Happiness using the lens of contemporary Positive Psychology theory and research. Third, it will discuss religion and well-being in the UAE and propose a study on the relationship between well-being and Islamic prayer.