Despite popular belief, older adults are the happiest in America. They are being more socially active than the stereotype of older people suggests.
Older Adults are the Happiest in America
A certain amount of unhappiness comes with old age. Older bodies start to ache more and social circles shrink. But overall, seniors are more content with what they have than younger adults.
This is because they have learned to lower their expectations and accept what they have.
This research is based on periodic face to face interviews with a national sample of Americans from 1972 to 2004. The group was made of around 28,000 people aged 18 to 88.
The Study
Happiness was not always a straight line. It went up and down depending on economic times of the country. Overall, seniors were the happiest at every stage.
There were differences of happiness between all the different races in younger people. But, this faded with age.
In general, the odds of being happy increased 5% every 10 years. 33% of Americans said they were happy at age of 88 compared to 24% of those who are 18 or in their early 20s.
Being Social
A different study from the University of Chicago found that 75% of people between 57 to 85 did 1 or more social activity every week. This can include socializing with neighbors, attending religious service, volunteering, or going to group meetings.
Those who were in their 80s were twice as likely as those in their 50s to do at least one of these activities.
Read more about the study here.