A revealing international study, led by experts from the University of Oxford, has shed light on new factors that define the keys to well-being in various cultural contexts around the world. This analysis covered 76 countries and 80,000 respondents, revealing how personal attitudes impact life satisfaction, an area less explored than traditional economic variables.
Personality traits and happiness: a universal link
Published in the International Journal of Happiness and Development, the findings highlight a clear relationship between happiness and five personality characteristics.
The researchers noted that these trends maintained similarities in different parts of the world, reflecting that social and psychological well-being transcends borders and material conditions. In light of these findings, it is suggested that both governments and companies promote policies that encourage these beneficial attitudes to optimize overall well-being.
Among the five main traits, two stand out for their interdependent relationship: patience and the inclination to take risks. It was observed that having a patient attitude is strongly linked to a positive life outlook.
Similarly, those prone to making risky decisions also tended to experience higher levels of satisfaction.
The other three factors relate to social interactions and ethical values. The study identifies that reciprocity, both positive and negative, plays a crucial role. Being prone to reward positive actions and punish injustices, along with altruism and interpersonal trust, are essential for a full and satisfying life.
Coinciding with these findings, another health and well-being study conducted by TePe showed that Britons reach their peak well-being at 47 years old. This suggests that as people approach the end of their 40s, they experience a notable improvement in their emotional and physical well-being, prioritizing internal health over external appearance.
