#lifesatisfaction — Public Fediverse posts

DATE: May 14, 2026
SOURCE: AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

TITLE: Risk linked to antidepressant use fades after accounting for other risk factors,

URL: https://time.com/article/2026/05/14/nature-connection-positive-body-image/

A new study uncovers why exactly nature is so powerful at improving life satisfaction—no matter who you are.

URL: https://time.com/article/2026/05/14/nature-connection-positive-body-image/

-------------------------------------------------

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Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

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It's primitive... but it works... mostly...

-------------------------------------------------

#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #RiskFactors #Antidepressants #MentalHealthResearch #LifeSatisfaction #NatureTherapy #WellbeingScience #HealthStudy #Psychiatry #LifestyleFactors #PublicHealth

DATE: May 24, 2026 at 08:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------

TITLE: What 50 years of data say about the happiness of single parents

URL: https://www.psypost.org/decades-of-data-reveal-the-reality-of-happiness-and-single-parenthood/

A comprehensive review of decades of data reveals that single parents report lower levels of life satisfaction on average compared to parents living with a partner. However, under certain conditions, these solo caregivers report higher levels of happiness than adults living without a partner or children. The findings, which synthesize research from nearly half a century, were published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.

The modern landscape of household structures is diversifying rapidly across the globe. Alongside this shift, the reasons people enter single parenthood have evolved from predominantly widowhood to separation, divorce, and intentional solo parenting.

As the prevalence of single-parent households has grown, so has the academic focus on their economic and social realities. Much of the existing literature looks at physical and monetary hardships. Single parents often shoulder the dual burdens of providing income and managing childcare without another adult in the home.

They face higher risks of poverty and often report intense conflicts between their work obligations and family responsibilities. Scholars want to understand how these combined challenges translate into an individual’s subjective sense of well-being. Evaluating a person’s self-reported happiness provides a broad measure of how they perceive their overall quality of life.

Susanne Elsas, a researcher at the State Institute for Family Research at the University of Bamberg in Germany, led the recent inquiry. She worked alongside Teresa Möhrle of the German Federal Statistical Office and Ruut Veenhoven of Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Elsas and her team conducted the research to consolidate scattered data on single parents. Prior investigations into this topic were often fragmented, with single parenthood acting as a side note in broader demographic surveys. The team aimed to gather these isolated data points to build a comprehensive picture of how single parenthood relates to general life satisfaction.

The researchers drew their material from the World Database of Happiness. This is a public archive that collects and standardizes findings from scientific publications evaluating subjective life satisfaction. To ensure consistency, the team only included studies that measured happiness as an individual’s stable appreciation of their life as a whole.

They excluded studies measuring short-term emotional states, such as fleeting joy. They also ignored surveys that focused on specific domain satisfactions, such as being happy only with a job or a neighborhood.

Their review analyzed data from 54 distinct publications. These papers encompass roughly 2.5 million people polled between 1972 and 2020. The bulk of the survey data originates from countries in the Global North, particularly within Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Elsas and her colleagues found a highly consistent pattern across time periods and geographical borders. Compared to those raising children alongside a partner, single parents report lower average levels of happiness. This outcome emerged regardless of whether the researchers looked at single mothers, single fathers, or grouped both together.

The picture becomes far more nuanced when comparing single parents to single adults who do not have children. In a majority of these comparisons, the non-parents reported higher levels of happiness. Yet in several instances across different countries, single parents reported greater life satisfaction than unpartnered people without children.

The study highlighted several factors that associate strongly with the well-being of single moms and dads. Not surprisingly, access to money and career opportunities played a major role. Parents working part-time or full-time were generally happier than those without employment.

Higher income was positively associated with life satisfaction. Conversely, financial stress and unresolved tension between professional demands and family duties were linked to lower happiness. Providing for a family alone takes a heavy toll, but gainful employment appears to offer psychological benefits that rival the loss of free time.

Social support systems also emerged as an impactful factor for single parents. Those with strong informal networks, such as reliable friendships and extended family help, reported higher levels of happiness. Elements of personal fulfillment, including romantic involvement and an active sex life, were similarly linked to greater life satisfaction.

On the other end of the spectrum, individuals who expressed feelings of loneliness or perceived resentment from their community reported lower happiness. The data essentially paints a picture of social beings who thrive on connection, especially when navigating the heavy demands of solo parenting.

Childcare infrastructure proved to be a highly relevant topic, though its impact varied by regional attitudes. In West Germany, single mothers relying on any form of formal or informal childcare were happier on average. In East Germany, however, half-day childcare use was associated with lower life satisfaction.

Broader national policies and gender norms play a quiet but structural role in shaping life satisfaction. Higher scores in national gender equality were associated with greater happiness among single mothers. Expansions in full-day childcare options also correlated positively with parental well-being at the macro level.

Time itself functions as a balancing mechanism. The review found that single parents often experience immediate dips in happiness following a separation or divorce. As the years pass, life satisfaction tends to rebound and increase, suggesting that people adapt and develop effective coping strategies over time.

While the review covers an enormous sample size, the authors note some inherent limitations in the underlying surveys. Chief among them is the inability to determine if single parenthood directly causes a drop in happiness. Most people self-select into their relationship statuses, and the life events leading to single parenthood are deeply intertwined with other elements that influence mental health.

The researchers also warn of survivor bias in the data. Survivor bias occurs when a sample is disproportionately shaped by those who remain in a certain condition for a long stretch of time. People who remain single parents for many years are more likely to be captured in these surveys than those who quickly remarry or cohabitate.

Another gap in the literature is a severe lack of focus on single fathers. Because single dads make up a smaller demographic group, population surveys often lack enough participants to draw definitive conclusions about them. The few available findings show no statistically significant differences between the happiness patterns of single mothers and fathers, but researchers emphasize that more targeted study is needed.

The ages of the children involved also varied substantially throughout the literature. Some researchers defined single parents as those caring for children under the age of 15, while others included dependents up to age 25. This lack of a standardized definition complicates the comparison of single parents across different national contexts.

Definitions of single parenthood varied widely among the 54 studies. Some included widowed parents, others focused on divorcees, and some surveyed individuals who never married. Future investigations should account for these different pathways into single parenthood, as the experience of an intentional solo parent may differ drastically from a grieving widow.

Finally, the authors suggest that future analyses should look more closely at national policies. Examining how specific divorce laws, family benefits, and reproductive rights relate to single parents’ well-being could offer practical guidance for policymakers. Easing the practical burdens of solo parents goes a long way toward improving their quality of life.

The study, “Happiness and Single Parenthood: A Literature Review Using an Online Findings Archive,” was authored by Susanne Elsas, Teresa Möhrle, and Ruut Veenhoven.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/decades-of-data-reveal-the-reality-of-happiness-and-single-parenthood/

-------------------------------------------------

DAILY EMAIL DIGEST: Email [email protected] -- no subject or message needed.

Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org

READ ONLINE: http://read-the-rss-mega-archive.clinicians-exchange.org

It's primitive... but it works... mostly...

-------------------------------------------------

#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #HappinessAndSingleParenthood #SingleParents #LifeSatisfaction #ParentalWellbeing #SocialSupport #FinancialSecurity #WorkLifeBalance #GenderEquality #ChildcarePolicy #WellbeingResearch

DATE: May 24, 2026 at 08:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------

TITLE: What 50 years of data say about the happiness of single parents

URL: https://www.psypost.org/decades-of-data-reveal-the-reality-of-happiness-and-single-parenthood/

A comprehensive review of decades of data reveals that single parents report lower levels of life satisfaction on average compared to parents living with a partner. However, under certain conditions, these solo caregivers report higher levels of happiness than adults living without a partner or children. The findings, which synthesize research from nearly half a century, were published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.

The modern landscape of household structures is diversifying rapidly across the globe. Alongside this shift, the reasons people enter single parenthood have evolved from predominantly widowhood to separation, divorce, and intentional solo parenting.

As the prevalence of single-parent households has grown, so has the academic focus on their economic and social realities. Much of the existing literature looks at physical and monetary hardships. Single parents often shoulder the dual burdens of providing income and managing childcare without another adult in the home.

They face higher risks of poverty and often report intense conflicts between their work obligations and family responsibilities. Scholars want to understand how these combined challenges translate into an individual’s subjective sense of well-being. Evaluating a person’s self-reported happiness provides a broad measure of how they perceive their overall quality of life.

Susanne Elsas, a researcher at the State Institute for Family Research at the University of Bamberg in Germany, led the recent inquiry. She worked alongside Teresa Möhrle of the German Federal Statistical Office and Ruut Veenhoven of Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Elsas and her team conducted the research to consolidate scattered data on single parents. Prior investigations into this topic were often fragmented, with single parenthood acting as a side note in broader demographic surveys. The team aimed to gather these isolated data points to build a comprehensive picture of how single parenthood relates to general life satisfaction.

The researchers drew their material from the World Database of Happiness. This is a public archive that collects and standardizes findings from scientific publications evaluating subjective life satisfaction. To ensure consistency, the team only included studies that measured happiness as an individual’s stable appreciation of their life as a whole.

They excluded studies measuring short-term emotional states, such as fleeting joy. They also ignored surveys that focused on specific domain satisfactions, such as being happy only with a job or a neighborhood.

Their review analyzed data from 54 distinct publications. These papers encompass roughly 2.5 million people polled between 1972 and 2020. The bulk of the survey data originates from countries in the Global North, particularly within Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Elsas and her colleagues found a highly consistent pattern across time periods and geographical borders. Compared to those raising children alongside a partner, single parents report lower average levels of happiness. This outcome emerged regardless of whether the researchers looked at single mothers, single fathers, or grouped both together.

The picture becomes far more nuanced when comparing single parents to single adults who do not have children. In a majority of these comparisons, the non-parents reported higher levels of happiness. Yet in several instances across different countries, single parents reported greater life satisfaction than unpartnered people without children.

The study highlighted several factors that associate strongly with the well-being of single moms and dads. Not surprisingly, access to money and career opportunities played a major role. Parents working part-time or full-time were generally happier than those without employment.

Higher income was positively associated with life satisfaction. Conversely, financial stress and unresolved tension between professional demands and family duties were linked to lower happiness. Providing for a family alone takes a heavy toll, but gainful employment appears to offer psychological benefits that rival the loss of free time.

Social support systems also emerged as an impactful factor for single parents. Those with strong informal networks, such as reliable friendships and extended family help, reported higher levels of happiness. Elements of personal fulfillment, including romantic involvement and an active sex life, were similarly linked to greater life satisfaction.

On the other end of the spectrum, individuals who expressed feelings of loneliness or perceived resentment from their community reported lower happiness. The data essentially paints a picture of social beings who thrive on connection, especially when navigating the heavy demands of solo parenting.

Childcare infrastructure proved to be a highly relevant topic, though its impact varied by regional attitudes. In West Germany, single mothers relying on any form of formal or informal childcare were happier on average. In East Germany, however, half-day childcare use was associated with lower life satisfaction.

Broader national policies and gender norms play a quiet but structural role in shaping life satisfaction. Higher scores in national gender equality were associated with greater happiness among single mothers. Expansions in full-day childcare options also correlated positively with parental well-being at the macro level.

Time itself functions as a balancing mechanism. The review found that single parents often experience immediate dips in happiness following a separation or divorce. As the years pass, life satisfaction tends to rebound and increase, suggesting that people adapt and develop effective coping strategies over time.

While the review covers an enormous sample size, the authors note some inherent limitations in the underlying surveys. Chief among them is the inability to determine if single parenthood directly causes a drop in happiness. Most people self-select into their relationship statuses, and the life events leading to single parenthood are deeply intertwined with other elements that influence mental health.

The researchers also warn of survivor bias in the data. Survivor bias occurs when a sample is disproportionately shaped by those who remain in a certain condition for a long stretch of time. People who remain single parents for many years are more likely to be captured in these surveys than those who quickly remarry or cohabitate.

Another gap in the literature is a severe lack of focus on single fathers. Because single dads make up a smaller demographic group, population surveys often lack enough participants to draw definitive conclusions about them. The few available findings show no statistically significant differences between the happiness patterns of single mothers and fathers, but researchers emphasize that more targeted study is needed.

The ages of the children involved also varied substantially throughout the literature. Some researchers defined single parents as those caring for children under the age of 15, while others included dependents up to age 25. This lack of a standardized definition complicates the comparison of single parents across different national contexts.

Definitions of single parenthood varied widely among the 54 studies. Some included widowed parents, others focused on divorcees, and some surveyed individuals who never married. Future investigations should account for these different pathways into single parenthood, as the experience of an intentional solo parent may differ drastically from a grieving widow.

Finally, the authors suggest that future analyses should look more closely at national policies. Examining how specific divorce laws, family benefits, and reproductive rights relate to single parents’ well-being could offer practical guidance for policymakers. Easing the practical burdens of solo parents goes a long way toward improving their quality of life.

The study, “Happiness and Single Parenthood: A Literature Review Using an Online Findings Archive,” was authored by Susanne Elsas, Teresa Möhrle, and Ruut Veenhoven.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/decades-of-data-reveal-the-reality-of-happiness-and-single-parenthood/

-------------------------------------------------

DAILY EMAIL DIGEST: Email [email protected] -- no subject or message needed.

Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org

READ ONLINE: http://read-the-rss-mega-archive.clinicians-exchange.org

It's primitive... but it works... mostly...

-------------------------------------------------

#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #HappinessAndSingleParenthood #SingleParents #LifeSatisfaction #ParentalWellbeing #SocialSupport #FinancialSecurity #WorkLifeBalance #GenderEquality #ChildcarePolicy #WellbeingResearch

DATE: May 24, 2026 at 08:00AM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG

** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------

TITLE: What 50 years of data say about the happiness of single parents

URL: https://www.psypost.org/decades-of-data-reveal-the-reality-of-happiness-and-single-parenthood/

A comprehensive review of decades of data reveals that single parents report lower levels of life satisfaction on average compared to parents living with a partner. However, under certain conditions, these solo caregivers report higher levels of happiness than adults living without a partner or children. The findings, which synthesize research from nearly half a century, were published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.

The modern landscape of household structures is diversifying rapidly across the globe. Alongside this shift, the reasons people enter single parenthood have evolved from predominantly widowhood to separation, divorce, and intentional solo parenting.

As the prevalence of single-parent households has grown, so has the academic focus on their economic and social realities. Much of the existing literature looks at physical and monetary hardships. Single parents often shoulder the dual burdens of providing income and managing childcare without another adult in the home.

They face higher risks of poverty and often report intense conflicts between their work obligations and family responsibilities. Scholars want to understand how these combined challenges translate into an individual’s subjective sense of well-being. Evaluating a person’s self-reported happiness provides a broad measure of how they perceive their overall quality of life.

Susanne Elsas, a researcher at the State Institute for Family Research at the University of Bamberg in Germany, led the recent inquiry. She worked alongside Teresa Möhrle of the German Federal Statistical Office and Ruut Veenhoven of Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Elsas and her team conducted the research to consolidate scattered data on single parents. Prior investigations into this topic were often fragmented, with single parenthood acting as a side note in broader demographic surveys. The team aimed to gather these isolated data points to build a comprehensive picture of how single parenthood relates to general life satisfaction.

The researchers drew their material from the World Database of Happiness. This is a public archive that collects and standardizes findings from scientific publications evaluating subjective life satisfaction. To ensure consistency, the team only included studies that measured happiness as an individual’s stable appreciation of their life as a whole.

They excluded studies measuring short-term emotional states, such as fleeting joy. They also ignored surveys that focused on specific domain satisfactions, such as being happy only with a job or a neighborhood.

Their review analyzed data from 54 distinct publications. These papers encompass roughly 2.5 million people polled between 1972 and 2020. The bulk of the survey data originates from countries in the Global North, particularly within Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Elsas and her colleagues found a highly consistent pattern across time periods and geographical borders. Compared to those raising children alongside a partner, single parents report lower average levels of happiness. This outcome emerged regardless of whether the researchers looked at single mothers, single fathers, or grouped both together.

The picture becomes far more nuanced when comparing single parents to single adults who do not have children. In a majority of these comparisons, the non-parents reported higher levels of happiness. Yet in several instances across different countries, single parents reported greater life satisfaction than unpartnered people without children.

The study highlighted several factors that associate strongly with the well-being of single moms and dads. Not surprisingly, access to money and career opportunities played a major role. Parents working part-time or full-time were generally happier than those without employment.

Higher income was positively associated with life satisfaction. Conversely, financial stress and unresolved tension between professional demands and family duties were linked to lower happiness. Providing for a family alone takes a heavy toll, but gainful employment appears to offer psychological benefits that rival the loss of free time.

Social support systems also emerged as an impactful factor for single parents. Those with strong informal networks, such as reliable friendships and extended family help, reported higher levels of happiness. Elements of personal fulfillment, including romantic involvement and an active sex life, were similarly linked to greater life satisfaction.

On the other end of the spectrum, individuals who expressed feelings of loneliness or perceived resentment from their community reported lower happiness. The data essentially paints a picture of social beings who thrive on connection, especially when navigating the heavy demands of solo parenting.

Childcare infrastructure proved to be a highly relevant topic, though its impact varied by regional attitudes. In West Germany, single mothers relying on any form of formal or informal childcare were happier on average. In East Germany, however, half-day childcare use was associated with lower life satisfaction.

Broader national policies and gender norms play a quiet but structural role in shaping life satisfaction. Higher scores in national gender equality were associated with greater happiness among single mothers. Expansions in full-day childcare options also correlated positively with parental well-being at the macro level.

Time itself functions as a balancing mechanism. The review found that single parents often experience immediate dips in happiness following a separation or divorce. As the years pass, life satisfaction tends to rebound and increase, suggesting that people adapt and develop effective coping strategies over time.

While the review covers an enormous sample size, the authors note some inherent limitations in the underlying surveys. Chief among them is the inability to determine if single parenthood directly causes a drop in happiness. Most people self-select into their relationship statuses, and the life events leading to single parenthood are deeply intertwined with other elements that influence mental health.

The researchers also warn of survivor bias in the data. Survivor bias occurs when a sample is disproportionately shaped by those who remain in a certain condition for a long stretch of time. People who remain single parents for many years are more likely to be captured in these surveys than those who quickly remarry or cohabitate.

Another gap in the literature is a severe lack of focus on single fathers. Because single dads make up a smaller demographic group, population surveys often lack enough participants to draw definitive conclusions about them. The few available findings show no statistically significant differences between the happiness patterns of single mothers and fathers, but researchers emphasize that more targeted study is needed.

The ages of the children involved also varied substantially throughout the literature. Some researchers defined single parents as those caring for children under the age of 15, while others included dependents up to age 25. This lack of a standardized definition complicates the comparison of single parents across different national contexts.

Definitions of single parenthood varied widely among the 54 studies. Some included widowed parents, others focused on divorcees, and some surveyed individuals who never married. Future investigations should account for these different pathways into single parenthood, as the experience of an intentional solo parent may differ drastically from a grieving widow.

Finally, the authors suggest that future analyses should look more closely at national policies. Examining how specific divorce laws, family benefits, and reproductive rights relate to single parents’ well-being could offer practical guidance for policymakers. Easing the practical burdens of solo parents goes a long way toward improving their quality of life.

The study, “Happiness and Single Parenthood: A Literature Review Using an Online Findings Archive,” was authored by Susanne Elsas, Teresa Möhrle, and Ruut Veenhoven.

URL: https://www.psypost.org/decades-of-data-reveal-the-reality-of-happiness-and-single-parenthood/

-------------------------------------------------

DAILY EMAIL DIGEST: Email [email protected] -- no subject or message needed.

Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

NYU Information for Practice puts out 400-500 good quality health-related research posts per week but its too much for many people, so that bot is limited to just subscribers. You can read it or subscribe at @PsychResearchBot

Since 1991 The National Psychologist has focused on keeping practicing psychologists current with news, information and items of interest. Check them out for more free articles, resources, and subscription information: https://www.nationalpsychologist.com

EMAIL DAILY DIGEST OF RSS FEEDS -- SUBSCRIBE: http://subscribe-article-digests.clinicians-exchange.org

READ ONLINE: http://read-the-rss-mega-archive.clinicians-exchange.org

It's primitive... but it works... mostly...

-------------------------------------------------

#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #HappinessAndSingleParenthood #SingleParents #LifeSatisfaction #ParentalWellbeing #SocialSupport #FinancialSecurity #WorkLifeBalance #GenderEquality #ChildcarePolicy #WellbeingResearch

PsyPost: Short video addiction is linked to lower life satisfaction through loneliness and anxiety. “A new study published The Journal of Psychology provides evidence that problematic use of short video platforms is linked to higher feelings of loneliness, which subsequently relate to elevated anxiety and a decrease in a person’s contentment with their life.”

PsyPost: Short video addiction is linked to lower life satisfaction through loneliness and anxiety. “A new study published The Journal of Psychology provides evidence that problematic use of short video platforms is linked to higher feelings of loneliness, which subsequently relate to elevated anxiety and a decrease in a person’s contentment with their life.”

PsyPost: Short video addiction is linked to lower life satisfaction through loneliness and anxiety. “A new study published The Journal of Psychology provides evidence that problematic use of short video platforms is linked to higher feelings of loneliness, which subsequently relate to elevated anxiety and a decrease in a person’s contentment with their life.”

PsyPost: Short video addiction is linked to lower life satisfaction through loneliness and anxiety. “A new study published The Journal of Psychology provides evidence that problematic use of short video platforms is linked to higher feelings of loneliness, which subsequently relate to elevated anxiety and a decrease in a person’s contentment with their life.”

PsyPost: Short video addiction is linked to lower life satisfaction through loneliness and anxiety. “A new study published The Journal of Psychology provides evidence that problematic use of short video platforms is linked to higher feelings of loneliness, which subsequently relate to elevated anxiety and a decrease in a person’s contentment with their life.”

The one sign that someone is highly intelligent, according to philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.upworthy.com/the-one-sign-someone-is-highly-intelligent-according-to-philosopher-arthur-schopenhauer

The Happiness Myth: Why Money Can’t Buy What Matters Most.
https://wp.me/p84YjG-a20
#MoneyMyth #TrueHappiness #WealthVsWellbeing #HappinessResearch #LifeSatisfaction #MeaningfulLife #BeyondMoney #RealWealth #HappinessTruth #WhatReallyMatters

https://zsoltzsemba.com/happiness-myth-money-cant-buy-what-matters-most/

The Happiness Trilogy: 1 of 3-Part Blog Series

Are You Happy?

Fascinating, if You Ask Me!

For nearly eight decades, Harvard researchers have been tracking the lives of hundreds of individuals in what has become one of the most comprehensive studies on human happiness ever conducted. The Harvard Study of Adult Development didn’t just follow people through good times and bad; it revealed fundamental truths about what makes life worth living. What they discovered challenges everything we think we know about success, health, and happiness.

The Surprising Power of Relationships

When Harvard scientists began analyzing decades of health data, medical records, and personal interviews, they expected to find that genetics, wealth, or career success would be the key predictors of a long and happy life. Instead, they discovered something far more profound: the quality of our relationships matters more than anything else.

People who were most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80. This wasn’t just about feeling good emotionally—close relationships actually protected physical health better than cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or family medical history. The strength of your social bonds literally predicts how long you’ll live and how well you’ll age.

Director Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, puts it simply: relationships are a form of self-care. While we invest time and money into gym memberships, organic food, and health supplements, we often neglect the single most important factor in our wellbeing—the people around us.

Loneliness: The Silent Killer

The research revealed a darker side, too. Loneliness isn’t just an emotional burden; it’s a serious health risk. The study found that social isolation has health consequences as severe as smoking or alcoholism. People who felt lonely experienced faster physical and mental decline, regardless of how well they took care of their bodies in other ways.

This finding takes on new significance in our modern world, where technology promises connection but often delivers isolation. We can have hundreds of online friends yet feel profoundly alone. The Harvard study reminds us that it’s not the number of connections that matters, but their quality and depth.

Beyond Genetics: What Really Determines Healthy Aging

The study identified six key factors that predicted healthy aging, and genetics wasn’t at the top of the list. Physical activity, absence of smoking and alcohol abuse, mature coping mechanisms for stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and having a stable marriage all proved more important than having long-lived ancestors.

For the inner-city participants in the study, education emerged as an additional protective factor. Higher education correlated with better health choices throughout life, including avoiding smoking, eating well, and using alcohol moderately.

Perhaps most encouraging, the research showed that our life trajectories aren’t fixed in our twenties. People who struggled early in life could become thriving octogenarians, while those who seemed destined for success could derail through alcoholism or depression. Change is always possible.

The Brain-Body Connection

One of the most fascinating discoveries was how relationships protect cognitive function. People in happy marriages maintained better memory and mental sharpness as they aged. Even couples who bickered frequently showed this protective effect, as long as they felt they could count on each other when it mattered most.

This brain-body connection works both ways. Marital dissatisfaction didn’t just affect mood; it actually increased physical pain in older adults. Those in unhappy relationships reported more emotional distress and greater physical discomfort on the same days, showing how deeply intertwined our social and physical health really are.

Conclusion

The Harvard Study of Adult Development offers a clear prescription for a good life, and it’s simpler than we might think. Invest in relationships. Show up for the people who matter. Build communities that support you through hard times. Take care of your body, but remember that tending to your connections is just as vital.

In a world obsessed with productivity, achievement, and individual success, this research delivers a counter-cultural message: happiness isn’t something we achieve alone. It’s something we build together, one relationship at a time.

https://www.weforum.org/videos/harvard-conducted-an-85-year-study-on-happiness-here-s-what-it-found

The Happiness Trilogy: 1 of 3-Part Blog Series

Are You Happy?

Fascinating, if You Ask Me!

For nearly eight decades, Harvard researchers have been tracking the lives of hundreds of individuals in what has become one of the most comprehensive studies on human happiness ever conducted. The Harvard Study of Adult Development didn’t just follow people through good times and bad; it revealed fundamental truths about what makes life worth living. What they discovered challenges everything we think we know about success, health, and happiness.

The Surprising Power of Relationships

When Harvard scientists began analyzing decades of health data, medical records, and personal interviews, they expected to find that genetics, wealth, or career success would be the key predictors of a long and happy life. Instead, they discovered something far more profound: the quality of our relationships matters more than anything else.

People who were most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80. This wasn’t just about feeling good emotionally—close relationships actually protected physical health better than cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or family medical history. The strength of your social bonds literally predicts how long you’ll live and how well you’ll age.

Director Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, puts it simply: relationships are a form of self-care. While we invest time and money into gym memberships, organic food, and health supplements, we often neglect the single most important factor in our wellbeing—the people around us.

Loneliness: The Silent Killer

The research revealed a darker side, too. Loneliness isn’t just an emotional burden; it’s a serious health risk. The study found that social isolation has health consequences as severe as smoking or alcoholism. People who felt lonely experienced faster physical and mental decline, regardless of how well they took care of their bodies in other ways.

This finding takes on new significance in our modern world, where technology promises connection but often delivers isolation. We can have hundreds of online friends yet feel profoundly alone. The Harvard study reminds us that it’s not the number of connections that matters, but their quality and depth.

Beyond Genetics: What Really Determines Healthy Aging

The study identified six key factors that predicted healthy aging, and genetics wasn’t at the top of the list. Physical activity, absence of smoking and alcohol abuse, mature coping mechanisms for stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and having a stable marriage all proved more important than having long-lived ancestors.

For the inner-city participants in the study, education emerged as an additional protective factor. Higher education correlated with better health choices throughout life, including avoiding smoking, eating well, and using alcohol moderately.

Perhaps most encouraging, the research showed that our life trajectories aren’t fixed in our twenties. People who struggled early in life could become thriving octogenarians, while those who seemed destined for success could derail through alcoholism or depression. Change is always possible.

The Brain-Body Connection

One of the most fascinating discoveries was how relationships protect cognitive function. People in happy marriages maintained better memory and mental sharpness as they aged. Even couples who bickered frequently showed this protective effect, as long as they felt they could count on each other when it mattered most.

This brain-body connection works both ways. Marital dissatisfaction didn’t just affect mood; it actually increased physical pain in older adults. Those in unhappy relationships reported more emotional distress and greater physical discomfort on the same days, showing how deeply intertwined our social and physical health really are.

Conclusion

The Harvard Study of Adult Development offers a clear prescription for a good life, and it’s simpler than we might think. Invest in relationships. Show up for the people who matter. Build communities that support you through hard times. Take care of your body, but remember that tending to your connections is just as vital.

In a world obsessed with productivity, achievement, and individual success, this research delivers a counter-cultural message: happiness isn’t something we achieve alone. It’s something we build together, one relationship at a time.

https://www.weforum.org/videos/harvard-conducted-an-85-year-study-on-happiness-here-s-what-it-found

The Happiness Trilogy: 1 of 3-Part Blog Series

Are You Happy?

Fascinating, if You Ask Me!

For nearly eight decades, Harvard researchers have been tracking the lives of hundreds of individuals in what has become one of the most comprehensive studies on human happiness ever conducted. The Harvard Study of Adult Development didn’t just follow people through good times and bad; it revealed fundamental truths about what makes life worth living. What they discovered challenges everything we think we know about success, health, and happiness.

The Surprising Power of Relationships

When Harvard scientists began analyzing decades of health data, medical records, and personal interviews, they expected to find that genetics, wealth, or career success would be the key predictors of a long and happy life. Instead, they discovered something far more profound: the quality of our relationships matters more than anything else.

People who were most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80. This wasn’t just about feeling good emotionally—close relationships actually protected physical health better than cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or family medical history. The strength of your social bonds literally predicts how long you’ll live and how well you’ll age.

Director Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, puts it simply: relationships are a form of self-care. While we invest time and money into gym memberships, organic food, and health supplements, we often neglect the single most important factor in our wellbeing—the people around us.

Loneliness: The Silent Killer

The research revealed a darker side, too. Loneliness isn’t just an emotional burden; it’s a serious health risk. The study found that social isolation has health consequences as severe as smoking or alcoholism. People who felt lonely experienced faster physical and mental decline, regardless of how well they took care of their bodies in other ways.

This finding takes on new significance in our modern world, where technology promises connection but often delivers isolation. We can have hundreds of online friends yet feel profoundly alone. The Harvard study reminds us that it’s not the number of connections that matters, but their quality and depth.

Beyond Genetics: What Really Determines Healthy Aging

The study identified six key factors that predicted healthy aging, and genetics wasn’t at the top of the list. Physical activity, absence of smoking and alcohol abuse, mature coping mechanisms for stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and having a stable marriage all proved more important than having long-lived ancestors.

For the inner-city participants in the study, education emerged as an additional protective factor. Higher education correlated with better health choices throughout life, including avoiding smoking, eating well, and using alcohol moderately.

Perhaps most encouraging, the research showed that our life trajectories aren’t fixed in our twenties. People who struggled early in life could become thriving octogenarians, while those who seemed destined for success could derail through alcoholism or depression. Change is always possible.

The Brain-Body Connection

One of the most fascinating discoveries was how relationships protect cognitive function. People in happy marriages maintained better memory and mental sharpness as they aged. Even couples who bickered frequently showed this protective effect, as long as they felt they could count on each other when it mattered most.

This brain-body connection works both ways. Marital dissatisfaction didn’t just affect mood; it actually increased physical pain in older adults. Those in unhappy relationships reported more emotional distress and greater physical discomfort on the same days, showing how deeply intertwined our social and physical health really are.

Conclusion

The Harvard Study of Adult Development offers a clear prescription for a good life, and it’s simpler than we might think. Invest in relationships. Show up for the people who matter. Build communities that support you through hard times. Take care of your body, but remember that tending to your connections is just as vital.

In a world obsessed with productivity, achievement, and individual success, this research delivers a counter-cultural message: happiness isn’t something we achieve alone. It’s something we build together, one relationship at a time.

https://www.weforum.org/videos/harvard-conducted-an-85-year-study-on-happiness-here-s-what-it-found

What is the level of life satisfaction among parents? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What role do children play in this context? 🤔
WiSo scientist Dr Hudde tells us more about his research. 🎓✨
You can find the whole video here: 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHmVIe1bQZ8

#LifeSatisfaction #FamilyResearch #Parenting #WiSoCologne #SocialSciences

What is the level of life satisfaction among parents? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What role do children play in this context? 🤔
WiSo scientist Dr Hudde tells us more about his research. 🎓✨
You can find the whole video here: 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHmVIe1bQZ8

#LifeSatisfaction #FamilyResearch #Parenting #WiSoCologne #SocialSciences

#Arts and #crafts give greater #lifesatisfaction than work, survey suggests

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/16/arts-and-crafts-give-greater-life-satisfaction-than-work-survey-suggests

#Anxiety and #anger may explain how #parenting styles shape #lifesatisfaction

https://www.psypost.org/anxiety-and-anger-may-explain-how-parenting-styles-shape-life-satisfaction/

Feeling sad doesn’t always mean you’re depressed — but knowing the difference matters.

Know More :- https://artwithlifestyle.com/feeling-sad/

#mentalillness #MealthAwareness #DepressionHelp #lifesatisfaction #stress

📚👪 Parenthood: More Meaning, Less Life Satisfaction? 🤔
A study by Dr Ansgar Hudde and Professor Dr Marita Jacob shows that parenthood is associated with lower life satisfaction, but higher meaning in life. 📊 The study is based on data from over 43,000 participants from 30 countries and the results are published in the Journal of Marriage and Family.

Read more about the study and its findings ▶️ https://uni.koeln/EN35R

#UniKöln #UniCologne #Parenthood #LifeSatisfaction #MeaningInLife

Study: Parenthood goals in youth linked to later life happiness https://www.psypost.org/study-parenthood-goals-in-youth-linked-to-later-life-happiness/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Parenthood #WellBeing #ParentingGoals #Happiness #LifeSatisfaction

Weight gain doesn’t appear to reduce happiness https://www.psypost.org/weight-gain-doesnt-appear-to-reduce-happiness/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #WeightGain #Happiness #BodyPositivity #MentalHealth #LifeSatisfaction

New research reveals personality and life satisfaction differences between lifelong singles and partnered individuals https://www.psypost.org/new-research-reveals-personality-and-life-satisfaction-differences-between-lifelong-singles-and-partnered-individuals/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Personality #LifeSatisfaction #Singles #Relationships #Research

Personalient individuals are happier due to smoother social relations https://www.psypost.org/personalient-individuals-are-happier-due-to-smoother-social-relations/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Happiness #SocialRelations #EmotionalWellbeing #PersonalityDevelopment #LifeSatisfaction

Personalient individuals are happier due to smoother social relations https://www.psypost.org/personalient-individuals-are-happier-due-to-smoother-social-relations/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Happiness #SocialRelations #EmotionalWellbeing #PersonalityDevelopment #LifeSatisfaction

Personalient individuals are happier due to smoother social relations https://www.psypost.org/personalient-individuals-are-happier-due-to-smoother-social-relations/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Happiness #SocialRelations #EmotionalWellbeing #PersonalityDevelopment #LifeSatisfaction

Personalient individuals are happier due to smoother social relations https://www.psypost.org/personalient-individuals-are-happier-due-to-smoother-social-relations/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Happiness #SocialRelations #EmotionalWellbeing #PersonalityDevelopment #LifeSatisfaction

Internet use linked to better mental health for older adults https://www.psypost.org/internet-use-linked-to-better-mental-health-for-older-adults/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #MentalHealth #OlderAdults #InternetUse #Wellbeing #LifeSatisfaction

Internet use linked to better mental health for older adults https://www.psypost.org/internet-use-linked-to-better-mental-health-for-older-adults/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #MentalHealth #OlderAdults #InternetUse #Wellbeing #LifeSatisfaction

Internet use linked to better mental health for older adults https://www.psypost.org/internet-use-linked-to-better-mental-health-for-older-adults/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #MentalHealth #OlderAdults #InternetUse #Wellbeing #LifeSatisfaction

Internet use linked to better mental health for older adults https://www.psypost.org/internet-use-linked-to-better-mental-health-for-older-adults/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #MentalHealth #OlderAdults #InternetUse #Wellbeing #LifeSatisfaction

Internet use linked to better mental health for older adults https://www.psypost.org/internet-use-linked-to-better-mental-health-for-older-adults/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #MentalHealth #OlderAdults #InternetUse #Wellbeing #LifeSatisfaction

Women report greater satisfaction with singlehood than men, study finds https://www.psypost.org/women-report-greater-satisfaction-with-singlehood-than-men-study-finds/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Singlehood #WomenEmpowerment #RelationshipStatus #LifeSatisfaction #DatingTrends

Women report greater satisfaction with singlehood than men, study finds https://www.psypost.org/women-report-greater-satisfaction-with-singlehood-than-men-study-finds/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Singlehood #WomenEmpowerment #RelationshipStatus #LifeSatisfaction #DatingTrends

Women report greater satisfaction with singlehood than men, study finds https://www.psypost.org/women-report-greater-satisfaction-with-singlehood-than-men-study-finds/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Singlehood #WomenEmpowerment #RelationshipStatus #LifeSatisfaction #DatingTrends

Women report greater satisfaction with singlehood than men, study finds https://www.psypost.org/women-report-greater-satisfaction-with-singlehood-than-men-study-finds/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Singlehood #WomenEmpowerment #RelationshipStatus #LifeSatisfaction #DatingTrends

Study finds people in relationships tend to be happier than singles https://www.psypost.org/study-finds-people-in-relationships-tend-to-be-happier-than-singles/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Relationships #Happiness #Singles #EmotionalWellbeing #LifeSatisfaction

‘‘Happiness recession’: #UK 15-year-olds at bottom of #European #satisfaction league

Quarter of #British #teenagers in age group report low #LifeSatisfaction, compared with 7% of their Dutch peers
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/29/uk-teenagers-low-life-satisfaction-europe
#ToryLegacy

Is #marriage a prescription for #happiness? A new poll says yes

Adults who are married report being more satisfied with their lives than those in any other type of relationship, the Gallup poll showed.

“Any way you analyze those data, we see a fairly large and notable advantage to being #married in terms of how people evaluate their life.”

#lifesatisfaction 💍

Hmmm.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-02-marriage-prescription-happiness-poll.html

Almost all trans people more satisfied with life after transition, study shows
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/familyhealth/almost-all-trans-people-more-satisfied-with-life-after-transition-study-shows/ar-BB1hYM2j?cvid=260a7ff0d8a34decd77c7ebf17ed8816&ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&ei=8

#Trans
#Transition
#LifeSatisfaction

Not All Older Adults Reap Cognitive Benefits of Life Satisfaction Not All Older Adults Reap Cognitive Benefits of Life Satisfaction

https://go.squidapp.co/n/eYMxIZf
via SQUID App https://squidapp.page.link/5Mmr

#Poverty
#LifeSatisfaction
#CognitiveBenefits
#OlderAdults
#Marginalization
#Psychological
#Health

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#YahooEntertainment
"Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a helicopter, and you can land next to some": The wit and wisdom of David Lee Roth
The very best quotes from Diamond Dave, original Van Halen mouthpiece, Hollywood bon vivant and unbeatable wit

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/money-cant-buy-happiness-buy-101642741.html

#VanHalen #DavidLeeRoth
#FinancialStability
#PsychologicalWellbeing
#LifeStressors
#LifeSatisfaction
#HealthyFinancialHabits
#SpendingHabits
#CognitiveBiases
#RaisingHappinessLevels

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#YahooEntertainment
"Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a helicopter, and you can land next to some": The wit and wisdom of David Lee Roth
The very best quotes from Diamond Dave, original Van Halen mouthpiece, Hollywood bon vivant and unbeatable wit

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/money-cant-buy-happiness-buy-101642741.html

#VanHalen #DavidLeeRoth
#FinancialStability
#PsychologicalWellbeing
#LifeStressors
#LifeSatisfaction
#HealthyFinancialHabits
#SpendingHabits
#CognitiveBiases
#RaisingHappinessLevels

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#YahooEntertainment
"Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a helicopter, and you can land next to some": The wit and wisdom of David Lee Roth
The very best quotes from Diamond Dave, original Van Halen mouthpiece, Hollywood bon vivant and unbeatable wit

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/money-cant-buy-happiness-buy-101642741.html

#VanHalen #DavidLeeRoth
#FinancialStability
#PsychologicalWellbeing
#LifeStressors
#LifeSatisfaction
#HealthyFinancialHabits
#SpendingHabits
#CognitiveBiases
#RaisingHappinessLevels

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#YahooEntertainment
"Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a helicopter, and you can land next to some": The wit and wisdom of David Lee Roth
The very best quotes from Diamond Dave, original Van Halen mouthpiece, Hollywood bon vivant and unbeatable wit

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/money-cant-buy-happiness-buy-101642741.html

#VanHalen #DavidLeeRoth
#FinancialStability
#PsychologicalWellbeing
#LifeStressors
#LifeSatisfaction
#HealthyFinancialHabits
#SpendingHabits
#CognitiveBiases
#RaisingHappinessLevels

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#YahooEntertainment
"Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a helicopter, and you can land next to some": The wit and wisdom of David Lee Roth
The very best quotes from Diamond Dave, original Van Halen mouthpiece, Hollywood bon vivant and unbeatable wit

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/money-cant-buy-happiness-buy-101642741.html

#VanHalen #DavidLeeRoth
#FinancialStability
#PsychologicalWellbeing
#LifeStressors
#LifeSatisfaction
#HealthyFinancialHabits
#SpendingHabits
#CognitiveBiases
#RaisingHappinessLevels

#harmonization #surveyinstrument #lifesatisfaction #generalhealth
QuestionLink now harmonizes German survey instruments for two additional constructs: General life satisfaction and general health: https://www.gesis.org/en/services/processing-and-analyzing-data/data-harmonization/question-link

"Despite the poor weather, #Finns lead the most satisfied lives in the EU" 😂

(I've been wanting to complain about the #weather around here recently... 😝)

https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/news-in-brief/16977-eu-survey-reveals-finland-boasts-highest-levels-of-life-satisfaction-in-europe.html

#finland #europe #lifesatisfaction