A global report has found that Americans are less happy than people from poorer countries. In summary, countries like Zimbabwe, El Salvador, and Armenia have happier citizens. The United States ranked 29th out of 71 countries regarding mood and outlook. Interestingly, Canada and the U.K. did even worse, ranking 40th and 70th, respectively.
Countries With Happier People
Countries with lower GDPs like the Dominican Republic and Tanzania have more happy citizens. These countries are regarded as poor nations.
However, they are at the top when it comes to mental well-being, that is, happiness. This finding raises questions about the factors that lead to happiness and contentment in different countries.
The Pandemic’s Effect
The COVID-19 pandemic has a hand in these statistics. It has had a lasting negative effect on mental health worldwide. It mainly affected people in Western countries.
A nonprofit organization, Sapien Labs, noted a significant decline in mental well-being, particularly among young Americans. This trend highlights the profound and ongoing effect the pandemic had, which continues even as the world tries to recover.
Americans: Reasons for Low Mental Well-Being
One of the reasons for lower mental well-being scores, especially in wealthy countries, is surprising. The reason is smartphone addiction. The report found a connection between mental health and the age at which people first got their smartphones.
The result is alarming. It shows that adults who have smartphones at a younger age show more signs of distress, while those who get them later show fewer signs.
The Effect of Junk Food
Another factor that causes this mental health crisis in more prosperous nations is food. The type of food Americans consume contributes to the problem. They consume a lot of ultra-processed foods. The report found a link between diet and mental well-being.
The frequent consumption of processed foods leads to poorer mental health. This means the more they eat these types of food, the less happy they will be. This issue is particularly relevant in the U.S. and U.K. In these countries, ultra-processed foods comprise many of people’s diets. This isn’t the case in countries with higher mental well-being scores.
Americans’ Declining Social Connections
The steady decline in mental well-being is also linked to weaker personal relationships, particularly in more affluent countries.
The report shows that younger people in wealthier nations have significantly weaker bonds. They do not have strong family bonds like the people in poorer countries. This indicates that strong family bonds or personal relationships are crucial for mental health. However, this factor is steadily declining in America.
A Popular Trend Amongst Americans: Remote Jobs
It has already been stated that poor social bonds with other people cause mental health decline. One factor contributing to it is the type of work popular among Americans now.
Remote jobs became popular during and after the pandemic. The rate at which citizens are working remote jobs is on the rise. Now, it has also been linked to declining mental well-being.
Although working from home has advantages, it has also caused individuals to be more isolated. This is because work-life boundaries have been blurred. This contributes to the overall decline in mental health, especially in countries with high rates of remote work, such as America.
A Global View
According to the report, poorer countries like the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania have happier citizens. They have higher mental well-being scores than wealthier nations. This calls into question the idea that more wealth means more happiness.
Unlike countries like America, some factors cause more happiness. Factors like a simpler way of life, strong social bonds, and less technology use lead to higher mental well-being.
A Problem for the Younger Generation
The report shows a significant difference in mental well-being across different age groups. It shows that younger people suffer the most.
This trend shows alarming results. It indicates that the factors affecting mental health have a more harsh impact on younger populations. This can eventually lead to a future where many people might struggle with mental health issues in America.
A Change in Generational Well-being
Before 2010, younger individuals were generally happier. They were more hopeful than their older counterparts.
However, things started changing in 2019. From 2019 to 2021, there was a drastic decline in mental health. This mainly occurred among those aged 18–24 and 25–34. The people in these age groups saw their mental health scores drop by 14–17%. Compared to these stats, those over 65 experienced little to no decline during the same period. This trend has held through 2023.
Family Connections and Social Bonds
Many reports indicate that family connections are essential in every human’s life. Humans are naturally social creatures, and deflection from what is natural might not be an advantage. The same can be said for family connections and other social bonds.
A strong family relationship is essential for mental well-being; this fact cannot be overstated. This report shows that close family connections are linked to better mental health outcomes. It suggests that strengthening family bonds could be an essential strategy for improving mental health, especially among younger people.
Technology: A Double-Edged Sword
As the world gets more civilized, so will the people in it. We are now in an era where technology has become a massive part of our daily lives. Therefore, it is not surprising that technology, particularly smartphones and social media, is popular among the younger generation.
However, this comes with consequences. There are mental health costs, especially for younger people. Findings suggest that we need to reconsider our relationship with technology and be aware of its impact on our daily lives and overall mental well-being.
Solutions to the Problem
The report presents an intricate picture of global mental health, not just of that of Americans. It highlights significant challenges, especially for wealthy countries. To address the mental health crisis, each individual will need a multifaceted approach.
We must reevaluate our relationship with technology and improve our diet. We should also strengthen our family and social bonds and adapt to changes in work-life dynamics.