Articles tagged with Happiness
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that hopeful consumers are more likely to choose healthy snacks like fruit over unhealthy options like candy bars. The authors suggest that this is because hopeful individuals focus on the future, rather than dwelling on past experiences or present emotions.
A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals' happiness is influenced by the relative value of their experiences, rather than their absolute value. Those who received a 'better' outcome reported equal levels of happiness, while those who received a less desirable outcome still experienced increased happiness as the...
Young people aged 10-15 report being happier with family situations when mothers are happy, but only 55% of unhappy mothers' kids are 'completely happy'. The happiest children live with two parents without younger siblings and have a positive relationship with their mother.
Research reveals a global trend where parents over 30 feel unhappy with each additional child, but those aged 40+ are happier than their peers until they have four or more children. Older parents tend to be happier than childless couples when they reach adulthood and can benefit from their financial support.
A recent study at Michigan State University found that individuals with a strong sense of racial identity tend to be happier in life. The research suggests that this connection is particularly pronounced for women, who experience increased happiness due to a stronger sense of belongingness within their racial group.
A new study of people from 128 countries found that those who are satisfied with their country tend to have better lives, especially those with low incomes or living in poor countries. For people with high incomes and Western countries, well-being is linked to personal factors like health, standard of living, and job satisfaction.
A new study by Cassandra Walsh and Adam Sulkowski found a significant positive relationship between employee satisfaction and level of perceived environmental performance. The research suggests that companies should engage in sustainability reporting to improve employee morale and recruitment.
Health experts recommend establishing new traditions to increase happiness and avoid wintertime woes. Small changes can add up over time by focusing on one or two behaviors at a time.
A new study found that people's personalities play a significant role in determining their future emotional reactions, contrary to predictions made about external events. Positive individuals tend to be more accurate in forecasting their own happiness due to their natural disposition.
A new study revisits the 'Easterlin Paradox', finding that long-term happiness does not increase with income growth, despite short-term correlations. The research, led by Richard Easterlin, examines 37 countries and concludes that economic growth is not a key driver of happiness.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research suggests that quitting smoking is associated with improved mental health, particularly reduced symptoms of depression. Researchers found that individuals who successfully quit smoking reported lower levels of depressive symptoms compared to those who did not quit or relapsed.
A new study published in Journal of Consumer Research explores how pride affects consumer self-control decisions. Researchers discovered that pride has two opposing forces: one promotes indulgence and the other facilitates self-control.
A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that people spend 46.9% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they're doing, which can lead to unhappiness. Mind-wandering is often associated with contemplation of past or future events, and it appears to be the human brain's default mode of operation.
A new Stanford University study shows that getting older leads to greater emotional stability and happiness. Researchers found that older adults tend to have fewer negative emotions and more positive ones compared to younger years.
A new study from the University of Leicester found that economic migrants may experience disappointment despite seeking a 'better life', as their aspirations increase at least as much as their incomes. The research suggests that migrants are less happy than natives and that money is not the most important factor for happiness.
A global survey of 136,000 people found that life satisfaction increases with income, but positive feelings are strongly associated with other factors like feeling respected and having autonomy. The study suggests that material prosperity predicts life evaluation, whereas psychosocial prosperity predicts positive feelings.
A new study found that consumers who choose between equally appealing options build a positivity bubble to justify their decisions. However, this bubble is easily burst by minor negative information, leading to potential dissatisfaction in the long run.
A new CU-Boulder study finds that material possessions don't provide enduring happiness and often make individuals less popular among their peers. Investing in life experiences instead can lead to better social relationships and increased happiness.
A Tel Aviv University study found that happy marriages are associated with lower risk of fatal strokes in men. Single men have a 64% higher risk of stroke compared to married men, while unhappy unions also increase the risk by 64%. The research suggests that a bad marriage may be as detrimental to health as not being married at all.
In a study of 158 Georgia centenarians, researchers found that past satisfaction with life is the key to happiness in our oldest years. For the depression study, they found that diminished cognitive problem-solving ability and living in a nursing home were significant predictors of depressive symptoms in octogenarians and centenarians.
A new study by Jeroen Nawijn found that vacationers are happier before and during their trip, but not after. The study of 1,530 Dutch adults suggests that the effect of a vacation on happiness is short-lived and can be negated by returning to daily routines.
A study found that consumers who believe in karma have higher expectations and a long-term orientation, decreasing the importance of momentary happiness. In India, 64% believed in karma compared to 10.5% in China.
A new study from the University of Chicago Press Journals questions the notion that choice is key to well-being. Research suggests that personal freedom and autonomy may not be universally valued or beneficial across cultures. Instead, the emphasis on choice can lead to a numbing uncertainty, depression, and selfishness.
A large-scale analysis of 1.3 million US citizens revealed a close correlation between people's subjective life-satisfaction scores and objectively estimated quality of life, using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and environmental indicators.
A new study by the University of Western Ontario reveals that couples in shared roles models, where both partners contribute to unpaid work, experience higher average measures of happiness and life satisfaction. This model is advantageous for society, promoting gender equity and maximizing labor force participation.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that hourly wage-earners experience stronger relationships between income and happiness. The researchers theorize that the focus on concrete paychecks influences the level of happiness felt by hourly workers.
A study published in the Journal of Vision found that androgynous faces with lowered eyebrows and tight lips were misinterpreted as male, while smiles and raised eyebrows labeled a face feminine. The research suggests equivalent levels of anger are perceived as more intense when shown by men rather than women.
A study by Dr. John Garry and Dr. Maria Lohan found that young men who perceive declining happiness with age are more likely to engage in risky health behaviors like binge drinking. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 citizens of Northern Ireland aged 15+, finding that just over half were categorized as binge drinkers.
Research shows that patients with chronic illnesses who lose hope for a cure experience better quality of life than those holding onto hope. Without hope, patients adapt to their condition and focus on living in the present.
A study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that individuals who engage in activities increasing their competency experience decreased happiness in the moment but increased happiness on a daily basis. In contrast, those who meet their need for autonomy or connectedness report higher hourly and daily happiness levels.
According to the World Database of Happiness, Spain holds the 16th position in terms of happy years of life, with a score of 58.8 years. This ranking is based on an indicator developed by the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, which combines life expectancy and happiness averages.
A new study published in Springer's Journal of Happiness Studies found that raising children improves life satisfaction for married people, while having no impact on unmarried individuals. The analysis takes into account individual characteristics and suggests that marriage is a key factor in experiencing happiness.
Research by the American Psychological Association found that while money may improve life's comfort level, it doesn't necessarily contribute to happiness or life's pleasant moments. A focus on psychological wealth can help people adapt to good and bad events, providing a more sustainable path to happiness.
Researchers at the University of Vermont have created a 'hedonometer' that measures global happiness by analyzing millions of online blog posts. The study found that Election Day 2008 was the happiest day in four years, while the death of Michael Jackson was one of the unhappiest. The method uses a standardized scale to assign happines...
Tel Aviv University researchers found that 50% of happiness is genetically determined, with positive psychology exercises improving participants' happiness levels by up to 30%. The study aims to bridge the gap between psychology and clinical medicine, exploring physical benefits of mental well-being.
A new study reveals that our brains detect expressions of happiness and surprise faster than those of sadness or fear. The right hemisphere performs better in processing emotions, particularly happy and surprised faces.
Researchers found that ad responses depend on mental energy and attention devoted to the ad, with disinterested consumers reacting to less nuanced messages. Positive ads may not be more persuasive among interested consumers who invest considerable mental resources.
A new Northwestern University study finds that relationship satisfaction after marriage depends on a partner's ability to fulfill responsibilities and commitments. The research reveals that dating couples prioritize partner support for personal growth, while married couples value it for maintaining their partnership. This insight could...
Research finds that fast food and soft drinks contribute to childhood obesity, but paradoxically also reduce unhappiness. The study highlights the need for policies and programs that balance children's physical health with their emotional well-being.
A study by University of Denver researchers found that ninety percent of couples experience a decrease in marital satisfaction once the first child is born. Couples who had been married longer or had higher incomes tended to have fewer marital problems related to having a baby.
Gratitude is linked to achieving well-being, but men are less likely to express it than women. Older men also report greater negative emotions when receiving gifts from other men.
Experts gather to discuss how economic growth affects well-being and whether poverty or wealth guarantees happiness. Research highlights the negative effects of unemployment, while stability in work improves health and well-being.
A new study demonstrates simple techniques to avoid extreme actions when feeling depressed or happy. Focusing on reasons why feelings will pass or last can help individuals act in their long-term interests.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that highly materialistic individuals were equally happy with positive purchases of either experiential or material goods. However, emotional intensity decreases more quickly after material purchases than experiential ones.
A study by Tufts University psychologists found that mentally depleted individuals were more direct and authentic in conversation with black interviewers, and perceived as less prejudiced. This suggests that relinquishing power over oneself can lead to more harmonious interactions.
New research suggests that material items can provide longer-lasting happiness than negative experiences. The study found that bad experiences lead to more lasting unhappiness than bad material purchases.
A psychology study finds that spending money on life experiences boosts well-being and satisfaction for both individuals and those around them. Experiences, such as meals out or theater tickets, satisfy higher-order needs like social connectedness and vitality, leading to longer-term happiness.
Research by K-State professor Thomas Wright shows that happy employees perform better, exhibit higher job satisfaction, and receive better pay. The benefits of psychological well-being can lead to a competitive advantage, with studies indicating significant correlations between well-being and job performance.
Research by University of Pennsylvania economists finds the American population as a whole is no happier than it was three decades ago, but happiness inequality has narrowed significantly. The study found that non-whites report being significantly happier than they were in the early 1970s, while whites are slightly less happy.
A new study published in Springer's Journal of Happiness Studies found that children who develop a strong sense of personal worth and deep relationships, measures of spirituality, are happier. The study suggests that strategies like expressing kindness and volunteering may help increase happiness in children.
Researchers found that happiness can spread through social networks like an emotional contagion, benefiting not only friends but also friends' friends and even those three degrees removed. The effect is strongest among close relationships and lasts for up to a year.
A new study by James Fowler and Nicholas Christakis reveals that happiness can spread rapidly through social networks, with happy friends increasing one's chances of happiness by 9 percent. The research also shows that the structure of connections plays a significant role in determining individual happiness.
A new study by University of Maryland sociologists finds that unhappy people watch significantly more TV than very happy individuals, who prefer reading and socializing. The study analyzed 30 years of national data and found that TV viewing can provide short-term pleasure but has less positive effects in the long run.
A new study reveals that hyperopic consumers are not necessarily self-controlled, and instead focus on the future at the expense of present-day experiences. Researchers found that high-hyperopia individuals perceive more products as luxuries, but are less likely to see luxury goods as long-term investments.
A study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that simply asking people if they're willing to volunteer their time leads to increased donations of both time and money. This effect cannot be explained by guilt or feelings of obligation, suggesting a deeper psychological connection between giving time and experiencing happiness.
A recent study published in BMC Cancer found that women who experienced multiple negative life events are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The research, conducted by Professor Ronit Peled and her team, suggests that a general feeling of happiness and optimism can play a protective role against the disease.
Research by Anke Plagnol and Richard Easterlin reveals women's life satisfaction drops after age 48, with men excelling in family and finances. Women's unfulfilled desires contribute to lower overall happiness.
A study by the University of Bonn and Karolinska Institute found that a specific gene variant in women's endorphin metabolism is altered more often in female alcoholics than in healthy women. In mice, endorphins play a crucial role in ethanol consumption, particularly among females.
A University of Michigan study finds that global happiness has risen substantially over the past 25 years, particularly in low-income countries experiencing economic growth and democratization. Economic factors have a smaller impact on happiness than previously thought, with social tolerance and freedom being key drivers.
A study of 1938 married women found that higher levels of marital happiness were associated with fewer sleep complaints. Happily married women had less difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep compared to unhappily married women.