Not every life event makes you equally happy, according to the study
Published: Friday, May 3rd 2024, 15:10
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Some life events make people happier than others. This is shown by psychologists from the University of Zurich in a new study published in the European Journal of Personality.
"We found positive effects on life satisfaction, particularly in the area of romantic relationships," study author Michael Krämer told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Friday.
The researchers analyzed data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), in which over 41,000 adults were surveyed.
Finding a new partner, moving in together, getting married, the birth of a child - according to the study, all of these life events increase life satisfaction. However, to varying degrees: a new partner led to a long-term increase in satisfaction, while the positive effects after a wedding were strongest immediately after the event.
First child makes the happiest
Krämer explained this by saying that nowadays a wedding is often a more formal step when the relationship is already established. "In previous studies, the positive effect of weddings was often overestimated," said Krämer. This was the case because studies to date had not taken into account interactions between different events. For example, the increase in life satisfaction from previously finding a partner and moving in together still has an effect after a wedding.
The psychologists were also able to show that the effect of certain events on life satisfaction is often greatest the first time around. For example, the birth of the first child increases life satisfaction on average more than the birth of a second or third child.
Low effect of unemployment
In contrast to events that make people happier, there are also events that are associated with a loss of life satisfaction. The researchers found the strongest effect with the death of a partner. The death of a child also led to a sharp drop in life satisfaction, but according to Krämer there was little data on this point, which is why the information is less precise.
Separation or unemployment also has negative effects. "Surprisingly, however, the effect of unemployment was relatively small and short-lived," said Krämer. This had been different in previous studies. According to the psychologist, this could have something to do with the improved economic situation.
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