There is happiness, and then there is flourishing. And as new research has found, having one doesn’t always mean having the other, too. Flourishing indicates you’re living a good life, and it is more than individual happiness — it is evaluated from multiple dimensions, including health, financial security, meaning and relationships, according to the new report. Indonesia topped the rankings of countries where people flourish the most, followed by Mexico and the Philippines, according to the Global Flourishing Study, which published Wednesday. Many of the places that scored highest in terms of flourishing did not rank highly in assessments of the world’s happiest countries, according to the new report that Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion and Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program developed in partnership with Gallup and the Center for Open Science. The study includes 22 countries and Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China. The research was designed to capture a look at much of the world, said study lead and report contributor Dr. Byron Johnson, distinguished professor of the social sciences at Baylor in Waco, Texas. “The uniqueness of the Global Flourishing Study is the size: We are following 207,000 participants around the world in over 40 different languages on the six inhabited continents,” Johnson said. “This gives a voice to approximately 64% of the world’s population.” Although it has some limitations, the study is an ambitious and welcome asset when looking at global well-being, said Dr. Felix Cheung, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Population Well-Being. Cheung is a coauthor of a chapter in the recent World Happiness Report, which was not a part of the Global Flourishing Study. Wednesday’s report is just the start, said researchers, who will follow up with the people surveyed every year for five years to see how levels of flourishing change and to investigate further the factors that make for a good life. Younger people face challenges One result that stands out in this new research and other reports on well-being is that young people tend not to be doing well in comparison with other age groups. “Perhaps one of the more troubling features of this data is that we find when we aggregate across the 22 countries, flourishing tends to increase with age, so that the youngest individuals are reporting the lowest levels of flourishing,” said Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, study lead and contributor to the report. That isn’t the case everywhere –– in Poland and Tanzania, for example, flourishing tends to be higher for younger people. But for much of the world, patterns of flourishing over a lifetime seem to be changing, said VanderWeele, the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professor of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Young people are telling us something is wrong,” Cheung said. There are some theories about why youths are struggling. One study speculated that developed countries tend to have more competitive environments in education systems to get better jobs, which can lead to more stress for young people, he said. One of Cheung’s previous studies found that Americans don’t see a lot of opportunity for social mobility, meaning people feel their hard work doesn’t necessarily pay off. “It’s possible that this perception of lack of social mobility particularly hurts younger folks because they’re just trying to transition from either university or from school into their career,” Cheung said. Surprises in the data Flourishing was assessed using two questions for each of six domains: happiness, health, meaning, character, relationships and financial security. While people in richer, developed countries reported feeling more financially secure and better about how their life was going, these developed countries didn’t tend to rank as highly in other categories such as meaning, relationships or prosocial character, which is behavior that promotes kindness and social cohesion. “This raises important questions with regard to how can we carry out economic development without compromising meaning and purpose and relationships and character,” VanderWeele said. Some countries reporting the highest levels of flourishing were unexpected, he said. Indonesia had the highest level of flourishing, with the Philippines ranked third and Nigeria fifth –– all countries that were not in the top 20 of the World Happiness Report. On the other hand, Sweden was fourth on the list of happiest countries but placed in the middle in the report on flourishing. The United States also ranked toward the middle of countries in the flourishing report. “Why might this be so? Well, this is some of what we have to do in the years ahead to try to understand and unpack these results,” VanderWeele said. Parts of flourishing are in your control While further studies will continue to investigate the factors that most affect flourishing, there are ways in which people can start to evaluate their lives from this research. “One approach to reflecting on one’s own flourishing is simply to go through our 12 core flourishing questions,” VanderWeele said. “One respondent said that she had been thinking about committing to a volunteering activity for some months, and after going through and realizing she was missing a deeper sense of purpose, she decided to make a commitment to this volunteering activity.” You can find the 12 core flourishing questions here. The data also shows that there are ways to find well-being under multiple circumstances –– not just in developed countries with a high gross domestic product, Cheung said. A consistent takeaway from the study and from other research into well-being is that human connection is crucial for a good life, he added. People who participate in religious or civic life tend to report higher well-being as well as those who live with others or regularly share meals, Cheung said. There are aspects of flourishing that are under a person’s control, but some are not, he added. Conflict, natural disasters and economic hardship may take a toll on people’s well-being, and that is natural, Cheung said. “When one person is unhappy, that’s an individual issue,” he said. “But when the population isn’t happy, that’s a structural problem, and a structural problem requires structural solutions.” If you’d like to reflect on the questions to assess flourishing, they include the following. (Check the link to assess the flourishing measures on a scale of 0 to 10):
How to flourish –– even when you aren’t at your happiest, according to research
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"New Study Distinguishes Between Happiness and Flourishing, Reveals Global Insights"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
Recent research has revealed that happiness and flourishing are distinct concepts, with flourishing encompassing various dimensions of well-being beyond mere happiness. The Global Flourishing Study, developed by Baylor University and Harvard University, in partnership with Gallup and the Center for Open Science, assessed the flourishing levels of individuals across 22 countries and Hong Kong. Indonesia emerged as the top-ranking country for flourishing, followed by Mexico and the Philippines, highlighting a disconnect between happiness and flourishing. This study, which involved over 207,000 participants speaking more than 40 languages, aims to provide a comprehensive view of global well-being. Researchers have indicated that this report is just the beginning, as they plan to follow up annually for five years to monitor changes in flourishing levels and further investigate the contributing factors to a fulfilling life.
The findings also shed light on the challenges faced by younger individuals, who reported lower levels of flourishing compared to older age groups. This trend raises concerns, particularly as young people in many countries experience increased stress and competition in educational and job markets. The study found that while wealthier nations tend to report financial security, they do not necessarily excel in other flourishing domains such as meaning and relationships. Unexpectedly, countries like Indonesia and Nigeria, which ranked lower in overall happiness, reported higher flourishing levels. In contrast, countries like Sweden, although ranking high in happiness, fell short on the flourishing scale. The research highlights that while some aspects of flourishing are within individual control, external factors such as economic conditions and social structures significantly impact overall well-being. Emphasizing the importance of human connection, the study suggests that engagement in community and civic life can enhance flourishing, underscoring the need for structural solutions to address widespread unhappiness in populations.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides insights into the distinction between happiness and flourishing, highlighting recent research findings on global well-being. It emphasizes that flourishing encompasses multiple dimensions of life beyond mere happiness. By focusing on countries like Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines, the report challenges conventional notions of happiness rankings and suggests a broader understanding of what it means to live a good life.
Purpose of the Article
The report aims to inform readers about the findings of the Global Flourishing Study, which investigates well-being across various countries. By presenting data that shows how flourishing can differ from happiness, the article encourages a more nuanced view of well-being. This serves to stimulate discussions about what constitutes a fulfilled life, potentially influencing social and psychological perspectives in communities.
Public Perception
The article may foster a perception that well-being is complex and multifaceted, suggesting that societal factors play a significant role in individual experiences of flourishing. By emphasizing the importance of elements such as health, relationships, and financial security, it could lead readers to reflect on their own lives and communities.
Information Omission
While the article presents a comprehensive overview of the Global Flourishing Study, it may downplay certain limitations of the research or the complexities involved in measuring well-being. The focus on specific countries might also obscure the nuances of flourishing in different cultural contexts.
Manipulative Nature
The article does not appear overtly manipulative, but it subtly guides readers toward valuing a more holistic definition of well-being. This could be seen as an attempt to shift public discourse regarding happiness and fulfillment, framing it in a way that favors a broader understanding that includes societal factors.
Reliability of the Information
The research is backed by credible institutions, including Baylor University and Harvard University, lending it a degree of reliability. However, as with all studies, it is essential to consider the methodology and potential biases involved. The article acknowledges some limitations, which is a positive aspect for its credibility.
Societal Impact
This research could influence societal values by encouraging discussions about community well-being and the importance of supportive relationships. It might affect economic policies, as understanding flourishing could lead to more emphasis on mental health and social programs.
Target Audience
The article likely resonates with academics, psychologists, and individuals interested in social sciences. It appeals to those who are looking for deeper insights into well-being beyond conventional happiness metrics.
Market Implications
The insights from the article could impact sectors focused on mental health, wellness programs, and community development. Companies in these areas might find new opportunities for growth or investment.
Global Power Dynamics
The findings of the report may not have immediate implications for global power dynamics, but they contribute to an ongoing dialogue about well-being that could influence policy decisions in various countries.
Artificial Intelligence Influence
There is no direct evidence suggesting that AI was used in crafting this article. However, the structured presentation of data and the analysis could imply the involvement of AI tools for data interpretation or summarization. AI models might have influenced how the research findings are presented, emphasizing clarity and accessibility.
Conclusion on Manipulation
While the article does not exhibit strong manipulative tendencies, it seeks to reshape perceptions around happiness and flourishing. The language used promotes a broader understanding of well-being, which could be seen as an intentional framing of the narrative.
The article overall serves as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of well-being, particularly in a global context, while maintaining a degree of reliability due to its academic grounding.