I sharp decline in youth happiness began around 2012-2013, coinciding with smartphone and social media adoption, suggesting changing communication patterns may be affecting mental well-being.
Why Is This Happening?
The timing offers possible clues about causes. Many downward trends in youth happiness began around 2012-2013, coinciding with widespread smartphone adoption and social media mainstreaming. This has led researchers to question how modern communication methods might be affecting young people's mental health.
Research shows face-to-face social interaction – vital for mental health – has declined more among young adults than older generations, possibly replaced by digital communication. Social media may also foster negative worldviews through constant exposure to idealized versions of others' lives.
Other possible factors include widening income inequality (linked to lower psychological well-being) and major economic disruptions like the Great Recession, COVID-19, and post-pandemic inflation.
Please read full at:
https://studyfinds.org/happiness-young-adults-mid-life-crisis/
Why Is This Happening?
The timing offers possible clues about causes. Many downward trends in youth happiness began around 2012-2013, coinciding with widespread smartphone adoption and social media mainstreaming. This has led researchers to question how modern communication methods might be affecting young people's mental health.
Research shows face-to-face social interaction – vital for mental health – has declined more among young adults than older generations, possibly replaced by digital communication. Social media may also foster negative worldviews through constant exposure to idealized versions of others' lives.
Other possible factors include widening income inequality (linked to lower psychological well-being) and major economic disruptions like the Great Recession, COVID-19, and post-pandemic inflation.
Please read full at:
https://studyfinds.org/happiness-young-adults-mid-life-crisis/
