Articles tagged with Happiness
Research finds that social connection enhances generosity by fostering positive feelings in donors. The study suggests that donors feel happiest when giving to a charity via a friend or relative rather than an anonymous donation. This research has implications for not-for-profit organizations seeking to maximize donations.
Human cells respond in healthy ways to eudaimonic well-being but in unhealthy ways to hedonic happiness. Research found a significant decrease in stress-related gene expression profiles for those experiencing eudaimonic well-being, while hedonic well-being was linked to an increase.
A new UCLA study found that different types of happiness have surprisingly different effects on the human genome. People with eudaimonic well-being showed favorable gene-expression profiles in their immune cells, while those with hedonic well-being showed an adverse profile.
A study of over 42,000 people found that migrants from Eastern European countries didn't become happier after settling in Western Europe. In fact, those from Poland were significantly less happy. The researcher suggests that happiness is already present before migration and doesn't increase as a result.
Research at University of Southampton reveals that youthful extroversion and emotional stability significantly influence happiness and well-being in later adulthood. Neuroticism, on the other hand, is linked to poorer mental health outcomes.
A new study found that acceptance of what cannot be changed is crucial for older adults' happiness after losing independence. The ability to exert control was also linked to satisfaction, but secondary control - adapting to environment changes - played a more significant role in care residents.
A new BYU study tracks health and marriage quality over 20 years, finding that happy marriages have a preventative component that keeps individuals in good health. The research suggests that marital conflict is a risk factor for poor health, emphasizing the importance of couples seeking professional help to reduce conflict.
A new study by John Helliwell and colleagues found that communities with better social capital and pro-social behaviors are more resilient during crises, leading to improved happiness. The research suggests that social trust and quality social networks play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of economic shocks.
Recent research at the University of Missouri discovered that listening to upbeat music can successfully try to be happier. Participants improved their moods after being instructed to attempt to do so, especially when listening to Copland's music, and reported higher levels of happiness over a two-week period.
A CU-Boulder study found that people reported higher levels of happiness as they reported higher sexual frequency, but also believed their peers were having less sex than them. This 'relative aspect' of sex frequency increases happiness, suggesting social comparisons play a role in the relationship between sex and happiness.
A new study by Ed O'Brien found that people tend to 'explain away' the presence of bad possibilities, thinking they won't occur, but struggle more with recalling positive experiences. This finding has implications for how we think about happiness and well-being.
A study found that encouraging young people to see happiness rather than anger in facial expressions leads to a decrease in their levels of anger and aggression. The researchers also discovered that this effect can be induced in healthy adults, suggesting that emotion processing plays a causal role in anger and aggressive behavior.
A recent study published in BMC Psychology found that people with HIV have difficulty recognizing facial expressions, particularly fear, and are more likely to experience memory problems. The researchers suggest that this impairment can be debilitating and impact daily life and personal interactions.
A brief writing intervention helped couples sustain marital satisfaction by reducing distress from conflicts and improving passion and intimacy. The intervention, which involved just three seven-minute writing exercises, was effective regardless of relationship duration.
Research suggests that being in a position of power can enhance subjective well-being through increased feelings of authenticity. The study found that powerful individuals are more content and experience greater happiness due to their ability to act in congruence with their internal desires and inclinations.
Research highlights how poor sleep negatively affects feelings of gratitude toward others, while spending money on others boosts sense of wealth. Spending on experiences brings more happiness than material purchases.
A study by Marsha L. Richins reveals that wanting a product can boost happiness for materialistic individuals, but the emotions are short-lived. Materialists tend to believe that acquiring new items will transform their lives, leading them to overspend and accumulate debt.
Research from the University of British Columbia found that performing acts of kindness increases peer acceptance and reduces bullying. Students aged 9-11 who participated in kindness activities were happier and selected more classmates to work with.
A new study by Dr. Elizabeth Mokyr Horner found that individuals experience a large improvement in well-being and life satisfaction after retirement, but this benefit stabilizes at age 70 regardless of the individual's retirement age. The researcher concludes that well-being may be affected minimally by increasing the retirement age.
A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that increases in personal income are crucial for happiness worldwide. Rising incomes that coincide with higher optimism are key to well-being, and material possessions play a significant role in this relationship.
A study by University College London reveals that happy adolescents tend to earn higher levels of income later in life. The research found that happy individuals are more likely to get a degree, find work, and get promoted quicker than their gloomier counterparts.
Researchers found that great apes, including chimpanzees and orangutans, experience a midlife low in well-being, consistent with the U-shape in human happiness. The study suggests that evolutionary or biological explanations may contribute to this phenomenon.
A new study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that disease disrupts daily functioning is associated with reduced happiness. The study used a direct measure of disability and found a three-percent reduction in unhappiness for every one-point increase in freedom-from-debility score.
Research by UC's Susan Prince suggests that ancient Cynics, like Antisthenes, advocated for a rigorous path toward virtue and happiness, requiring drastic attitude changes and emphasizing ethical literature. This approach led to more leisure time, which could be spent living an ethically fulfilling life.
A recent UC3M study suggests that relative earnings affect job performance and happiness. When comparing oneself to peers who earn more, individuals tend to be unhappier and work longer hours. The researcher attributes this effect to social comparisons, highlighting the importance of considering colleague earnings when setting salaries.
A new study has identified a gene that appears to make women happy, but not men. The low-expression form of the MAOA gene is associated with higher self-reported happiness in women.
Research explores how verbalizing emotional experiences can help individuals cope with phobias and improve mood by reframing past events. The studies suggest that using certain language patterns can influence physiological arousal and overall happiness.
Researchers found that countries with press freedom tend to have happier citizens and better environmental quality. Press freedom allows for diversity in news sources, exposing corruption and prompting positive change.
Research suggests that sociometric status, rather than socioeconomic status, predicts social well-being. Studies found that students with high standing in their local ladder reported higher levels of social acceptance and power, leading to increased happiness.
Young children are happier when giving treats to others than receiving them, according to a new UBC study. Toddlers under two years old display greater happiness when sharing their own treats with a puppet compared to receiving identical or provided treats.
A new study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies suggests that consumers who buy life experiences to impress others experience a decrease in happiness. In contrast, individuals who purchase experiences for personal reasons report greater fulfillment and well-being.
Researchers found that married people tend to be happier than single individuals, as marriage stabilizes happiness levels despite life changes. Personality traits do not play a significant role in adapting to major events like marriage or job loss.
A new study published in Psychological Science finds that parents are happier overall than their childless peers, with fathers expressing greater levels of happiness. The research suggests that parenthood is associated with feelings of joy and meaning, rather than misery.
A new study finds that parents are happier than non-parents, with benefits appearing more consistently in men and older, married parents. The research also highlights the importance of fatherhood, suggesting fathers tend to experience greater levels of happiness and positive emotion.
A study by economist Richard Easterlin reveals that Chinese people are less happy overall than they were two decades ago, despite unprecedented economic growth. Life satisfaction among the poorest Chinese has fallen dramatically, reflecting rising unemployment and deteriorating social safety nets.
Researchers found that attachment to mom predicts ability to cope with loss, while smaller family size is linked to higher intelligence. Additionally, tracking happiness daily has no impact on overall happiness levels, but increased symptoms of depression may lead to decreased happiness.
A new happiness model developed by a MU researcher identifies two key components: the need for new positive experiences and appreciation for what already exists. The model suggests ways to reduce the 'let down' from material purchases and helps individuals train themselves to stay at their highest possible range of happiness.
A study by San Francisco State University researcher Ryan Howell suggests that having a balanced time perspective can make people feel more vital, grateful, and satisfied. This balance between enjoying the present, focusing on future goals, and not overindulging in nostalgia or hedonism is key to happiness.
Researchers found that watching tragedy movies causes people to reflect on their close relationships, boosting life happiness. Participants who thought more about their loved ones after the movie reported greater increases in happiness and enjoyment of the film.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people experience happiness through excitement and calmness, with younger individuals focusing on excitement and older individuals on calmness. Consumers' experiences of happiness drive their product choices, with marketers advised to consider individual differences.
A new study found that the English language is strongly biased towards being positive, with popular sources like Twitter and music lyrics showing a preponderance of happier words. The research complements a previous study on global happiness trends, suggesting short-term average happiness has dropped but the fundamental positivity of t...
Older people tend to be happier due to focusing on positive events and emotions, but direct links between these strategies and mood changes are lacking. More research is needed to clarify the relationship between cognitive processes and happiness in older adults.
A team of scientists from the University of Vermont measured global happiness using Twitter data over three years. The trend shows a gradual downward trend, with drops in happiness following major events and weekly patterns. The researchers propose a tool for real-time monitoring of collective emotions.
A new study by Adrienne Jackson found that frequency of sexual activity is a significant predictor of both general and marital happiness among older married individuals. The research, based on data from the 2004 General Social Surveys, revealed that almost 60% of those who engaged in sex more than once a month reported being very happy...
Researchers found that people who use an actor's perspective experience stronger joy and excitement but greater pride and guilt when recalling past events. In contrast, observers experience heightened sadness and embarrassment. The study highlights the importance of perspective in shaping emotional experiences.
A balanced amount of spare time is crucial for happiness in a consumer society. Materialistic teenagers with compulsive buying issues need just the right amount of leisure time to feel happier. Moderate time affluence alleviates negative side effects of material values and compulsive buying on adolescent happiness.
A new study of 54 nations found that more progressive taxation is associated with greater personal well-being and life satisfaction. The researchers analyzed data from the Gallup Organization and found that citizens in nations with more progressive taxes reported having more satisfying experiences and fewer discomfiting ones.
A study by Bernardo J. Carducci found that happy college students who are less outgoing focus on family and friends connections, positive thinking, and goal-oriented activities, leading to increased happiness. Additionally, goal-oriented students tend to be happier due to engaging in purposeful leisure and spiritual reflection.
A new University of California-Davis study found that happier adolescents report less involvement in crime and drug use. The research suggests that programs increasing childhood happiness may have a notable effect on deterring nonviolent crime.
This book explains a new, scientifically based approach called story editing that can make you happier and turn you into a better parent. Wilson argues that conventional approaches are ineffective and shows what works, highlighting the strategies outlined in his practical advice chapters.
A new UC Davis study suggests that happier adolescents are less likely to get involved in crime or drug use. The researchers found a significant correlation between emotional well-being and reduced involvement in nonviolent crimes.
A study by University of California, Riverside assistant marketing professor Cecile K. Cho found that people are more satisfied when they set ambitious goals compared to conservative goals. The experiment involved participants setting targets and allocating a budget, with high-goal setters averaging higher satisfaction levels.
A global survey suggests that religious people are happier than non-religious individuals in societies facing stress and hardship. However, in more affluent societies with social supports, the relationship between religion and happiness is less clear-cut.
A study of over 1,000 couples from the US, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and Spain found that men reported higher relationship happiness and women reported higher sexual satisfaction with age. Frequent kissing and cuddling predicted happiness in men, while higher sexual functioning and more frequent sex were linked to sexual satisfaction for...
Researchers used keeper surveys to assess orangutan happiness, finding it linked to longer lifespan. The study suggests a complex relationship between happiness and health.
A new study published in Psychological Science finds that a wide gap between the richest and everyone else leads to feelings of unfairness and diminished well-being. The researchers analyzed data from the General Social Survey and found that income disparity, not just poverty, affects happiness levels.
A new University of British Columbia study found that women are least attracted to smiling, happy men, while men are most attracted to happy women. The study explored first impressions of sexual attraction and discovered dramatic gender differences in how emotions, including happiness, pride, and shame, are perceived.
A new review article outlines four ways in which happiness can be problematic, including the risk of disappointment and decreased happiness when pursuing it. The study also finds that excessive or inappropriately felt happiness can lead to negative consequences, such as reckless behavior and social problems.
Researchers found that people with extraverted personality traits are happier due to their positive view of the past. Savoring happy memories and reframing painful experiences in a positive light may boost life satisfaction.
A new study found that happy countries like Canada and the US have higher suicide rates than unhappy ones. The researchers believe people in happy places may feel harshly treated by life, leading to increased risk of suicide.