What makes us happy and healthy?
Recent longitudinal studies, such as the one conducted by Harvard University — the largest, longest and most comprehensive of its kind — provide profound insights into what fosters happiness and health in human lives. This Harvard Grant Study, which started in 1938, tracked participants' physical and mental health and longevity by conducting biennial interviews, revealing that those with balanced relationships tended to be healthier, happier and more flourishing overall.
In the early 1970s, researchers built on the study’s earlier protocols, conducting follow-up surveys every two years. With seven decades of data at their disposal, they explored participants' genetics, childhood experiences, career trajectories and education levels. These extensive data collections have underscored the critical role of sustained social connections in influencing life satisfaction and well-being.
In a similar vein, a 2006 study titled "What Makes Koreans Happy?" conducted by multiple researchers investigated the perceptions of happiness among Korean adults. Although based on a smaller sample, this study identified 16 factors contributing to happiness, with "money," "self-acceptance," "leisure," "social status" and "personal growth" topping the list. Notably, relationships with children were deemed the most critical factor, reflecting the cultural values in Korea, where parental responsibility and the educational success of children are paramount. Korean parents often prioritize their children's education above all else, believing that achieving educational goals is the primary route to happiness. This cultural emphasis is evident in the ranking of familial relationships — with children, parents and spouses — as the top influences on happiness.
Contrasting this with the Harvard study’s findings, which advocate for a wide array of social connections — including family, friends, colleagues and community members — as essential for a satisfying life, it is evident that cultural contexts heavily shape these perceptions. While the Harvard research highlights the broad spectrum of relationships meaningful in Western contexts, emphasizing individual autonomy and community involvement, the Korean study illustrates a more focused valuation of family ties, in line with East Asian traditions of familial obligation and filial piety.
This cultural divergence brings to light the considerable pressures that Korean children — and even adults — might experience, a stark reflection of the different expectations set by Western and Eastern societal norms. These studies collectively demonstrate that while human connections universally contribute to happiness, the nature of these connections and the values driving them can vary significantly across cultures.
Understanding these differences is crucial, as it not only enriches our grasp of global psychological well-being but also reminds us of the diverse paths to achieve happiness in various cultural landscapes.
Shin Freedman (shinfreed@gmail.com) is an author, educator and writer.