Sunday, January 31, 2010

Study on Misprediction of Happiness in Old Age


The Journal of Happiness Studies has this interesting study on mispredicting Happiness Across the Adult Lifespan. Here is the abstract:

Using data from a 2007 survey in Northern Ireland (representative sample, N = 1036), we replicate and extend the US-based findings of Lacey et al. (Journal of Happiness Studies 7:167–182, 2006). Consistent with Lacey et al., we find that young people mispredict happiness levels in old age, believing—wrongly—that happiness declines with age. We explore the possible implications of this under-estimation of happiness in old age for the risky health behaviours of young people. We find that young male binge drinkers are particularly prone to thinking that happiness declines with age.


Cheers,
Colin