The happiness curve is changing.
Research over the years illustrated that people’s happiness throughout life formed a U-shaped curve. It was generally high during youth, declined in midlife, but then climbed again in later years.
However, new surveys indicate that young adults today are less happy compared to previous generations, causing this U-shaped curve to begin flattening.
A recent study highlights this trend, part of a set of articles published in the journal Nature Mental Health. These articles utilize data from the Global Flourishing Study, a project by researchers at Harvard and Baylor University.
Data was gathered by Gallup mainly in 2023, incorporating self-reported surveys from over 200,000 individuals across 20+ countries. The results revealed that young adults aged 18 to 29 are not only dissatisfied with their happiness but also face challenges concerning their physical and mental health, self-image, life purpose, relationship quality, and financial stability. Researchers assessed these factors to evaluate how each individual was “flourishing,” or experiencing overall contentment in life.
The research noted generally low flourishing levels among participants until they reached 50, with this trend observed across several countries like the UK, Brazil, and Australia. The gap between younger and older adults was most pronounced in the United States, according to the researchers.
“It paints a concerning picture,” remarked Tyler J. VanderWeele, the lead researcher and head of Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program. He emphasized the critical question: “Are we doing enough to support the well-being of young people?”
Traditionally, young adulthood is seen as a carefree time filled with opportunities and few responsibilities. Yet, findings from the flourishing study and other research indicate that this perception is more of a myth for many.
A 2023 report from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education revealed that young adults aged 18-25 in the U.S. experience twice the rates of anxiety and depression compared to teenagers. Additionally, perfectionism among college students has surged, often fueled by pressure to meet high expectations. Involvement in community activities, clubs, and religious organizations has diminished, with loneliness now affecting young adults as much as older generations.
“Numerous studies confirm that social connections are vital for happiness, yet young people are spending less time with friends than a decade ago,” noted Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale and host of “The Happiness Lab” podcast. “Moreover, like many age groups, youth are navigating a world filled with various global challenges, from climate change to economic instability to political divisions.”
Emiliana R. Simon-Thomas, science director at the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, stated, “Our well-being is interconnected with the well-being of everyone else. We cannot achieve happiness in isolation.”
She believes the data on flourishing points to the “long-term effects of an intense focus on status and power” in the U.S., overshadowing our connection to the broader community.
Comparing results across different countries can be complex due to the surveys being conducted at various times, in different languages, and amidst diverse economic, political, and cultural contexts, according to Dr. VanderWeele. Although the study’s geographic reach is extensive, it currently lacks data from mainland China due to collection delays and underrepresents low-income nations.
Not all nations showed increased flourishing with aging; countries like Poland and Tanzania saw declines in flourishing as people got older, while places like Japan and Kenya demonstrated a more traditional U-shaped happiness trajectory, peaking in youth and later life.
However, in many Western countries and several others, young adults are struggling significantly with flourishing. The Global Flourishing Study will continue to gather annual data until 2027 to explore these patterns further, Dr. VanderWeele noted.
“It’s clear that young people are facing serious difficulties,” commented David G. Blanchflower, an economics professor at Dartmouth College who is not part of the flourishing study but whose own research shows similar trends.
Dr. Blanchflower is organizing a conference at Dartmouth in collaboration with the United Nations to allow experts to discuss research and brainstorm solutions to this troubling trend.
There are various theories regarding the struggles of young individuals, he suggested, but he believes much of the issue lies in what they aren’t doing due to excessive screen time.
“It’s not simply that they’re isolating themselves,” he added, referencing Robert D. Putnam’s influential book that warned of the dangers of social disconnection. “Rather, they’re not engaging in activities at all.”
