Duke University
aging expert Linda George concluded that older people have learned to
lower their expectations and accept their achievements. An older
person may conclude that "It's fine that I was a schoolteacher and not
a Nobel prize winner." Although Ms. George was not involved in the
research, she pointed out that the research is important because
people tend to think that "late life is far from the best stage of
life, and they don't look forward to it."
Yang's research
was based upon periodic face-to-face interviews with a nationally
representative sample of Americans from 1972 to 2004, with about
28,000 people, ages 18 to 88 having taken part. There were various
levels of overall happiness measured during the study, frequently
corresponding with whether economic times were either good or bad.
However, at every stage older Americans were the happiest.
The study also
found that poor people and younger blacks tended to be less happy than
whites and wealthier individuals. However, these differences seemed
to fade as individuals aged. The odds of being happy increased by 5%
with every 10 years of age. By the age of 88, 33% of Americans
reported being very happy while only 24% of those age 18 to their
early 20’s also reported the same level of happiness. Throughout the
years of the study, most Americans reported being very happy or pretty
happy, while less than 20% said they were not too happy.
A separate study
from the University of Chicago found that about 75% of individuals in
the 57 to 85 age group engaged in one or more social activities per
week, including volunteering or going to group meetings, socializing
with neighbors, or attending religious services. Individuals in their
80’s were twice as likely as those in their 50’s to do at least one of
these activities per week.
Both of these
studies appeared in April's edition of American Sociological Review.
Benjamin Cornwell, also a University Chicago researcher, and co-author
of the study stated that "People’s social circles do tend to shrink a
little as they age-that is mainly where that stereotype comes from,
but that image of the isolated elderly really falls apart when we
broaden our definition of what social connection is."
The validity of
this research also seems to ring true for 81-year-old George O'Hare,
from Willowbrook, Illinois, who is a retired Sears manager. He is
currently active in AARP and church, as well as doing motivational
speaking. His wife is still living and he's very close to his
children and grandchildren. O'Hara stated "I'm very happy because I've
made friends that are still living. He went on to say "I like to go
out and speak in schools about motivation." He also commented
"Happiness is getting out and being with people, and that's why I
recommend it."
This all seems to
be good news for the aging generation. It is interesting however that
Yang’s study also found that baby boomers were the least happy of all
the groups. "They could end up living the unfortunate old-age
stereotype that they can't let go of their achievement-driven
mind-set" said Ms. George, the Duke aging expert. She said "So far,
baby boomers aren’t lowering their aspirations at the same rate
earlier generations did". "They still seem to believe they should
have it all," George said. "They're still thinking about having a
retirement that’s going to let them do everything they haven't done
yet."
Previous studies
have shown midlife to be the most stressful time according to Cornwell
University sociologist Elaine Wethington. "Everyone's asking you to
do things and you have a lot to do. You're less happy because you
feel hassled." She went on to state that the new studies show "If you
can make it through that there’s light at the end of the tunnel".
Exciting new research has found that the
happiest Americans are actually the oldest. Older adults are
actually more socially active than the stereotype of the lonely senior
suggests. It is a well-known fact in mental health circles that
being sociable may help to keep away the blues and lead to a longer,
happier life..