Research

The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness

Close relationships are the strongest predictor of long-term happiness and health

Key Findings:

  • Main conclusion: "Good relationships keep us happier and healthier"
  • Close relationships are the strongest predictor of long-term happiness and health
  • More predictive than IQ, genetics, or socioeconomic status
  • Health impacts: People satisfied in relationships at age 50 were healthiest at age 80
  • Loneliness: As dangerous to health as smoking half a pack of cigarettes daily or being obese
  • Married people lived 5-12 years longer (women) and 7-17 years longer (men)

‍

Study: 85+ year longitudinal study (began 1938)
‍Current Directors: Dr. Robert Waldinger (4th director) & Dr. Marc Schulz
‍Book: "The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness" (2023)
Link: Harvard Study of Adult Development | Robert Waldinger
TED Talk: "What Makes a Good Life?" (43+ million views)
Photo by Joshua Koblin on Unsplash

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