A recent study indicates that young adults globally, aged 18 to 29, are facing challenges not only in achieving happiness but also in maintaining their physical and mental health. The research revealed that these individuals struggle with self-perception, finding purpose in life, the quality of their interpersonal relationships, and financial stability, as reported by the Xinhua news agency. The data, gathered by Gallup mainly in 2023, was based on self-reported surveys from over 200,000 participants across more than 20 countries and published in the journal Nature Mental Health.
This study is part of a series of papers stemming from the initial data wave of the Global Flourishing Study, a collaboration between researchers from Harvard and Baylor University. The findings indicated that participants exhibited relatively low levels of flourishing on average until they reached the age of 50. Lead author Tyler J. VanderWeele remarked, ‘It presents a rather stark picture.’ He emphasized the critical question raised by the findings: ‘Are we adequately investing in the well-being of our youth?’ The study’s results were consistent across several nations, including the UK, Brazil, and Australia, but the disparity between younger and older adults was most pronounced in the United States, as reported by The New York Times, citing the researchers. ‘Young adulthood has traditionally been viewed as a carefree phase, characterized by boundless opportunities and minimal responsibilities. However, data from the flourishing study and other sources suggest that for many, this perception is more illusory than factual,’ stated The Times in its coverage of the research.
‘Numerous studies indicate that social connections are vital for happiness, yet young individuals are spending less time with friends compared to a decade ago,’ noted Laurie Santos, a psychology professor at Yale and host of ‘The Happiness Lab’ podcast. ‘Moreover, like individuals of all ages, young people are confronted with a myriad of global challenges, ranging from climate change to economic instability and political polarization,’ Santos further commented.
