You might be pushing for that pay rise come the new year, but before you get too stressed out about you ailing income – you might want to take a look at this.
Research from the London School of Economics (LSE), has revealed that having good mental health and a supportive partner have a far greater positive effect on our happiness than an increase in income.
Looking at responses from 200,000 individuals, the LSE rated how different factors impacted peoples’ wellbeing. And the results were startling.
On a scale of 0 – 10, doubling someone’s pay saw their happiness rise by 0.2. In contrast, having a partner made happiness increase by 0.6, and happiness levels decreased by the same amount if a partner was lost through death or separation.
But the biggest effect on wellbeing, perhaps unsurprisingly, was experiencing anxiety or depression, which saw happiness levels dip by 0.7 on the scale.
Unemployment had a similar effect.
Report co-author Professor Richard Layard said the findings mean the state must to play a new role in its citizens’ happiness – and focus on ‘wellbeing creation’ rather than ‘wealth creation.’
“The evidence shows that the things that matter most for our happiness and for our misery are our social relationships and our mental and physical health.
“In the past, the state has taken on poverty, unemployment, education and physical health. But equally important now are domestic violence, alcoholism, depression and anxiety conditions, alienated youth, exam-mania and much else. These should become centre stage.”
