The Happiness Research Institute in Denmark conducted a study to find out the “happiness” of most people and relate it to their use of social media. For their research, 1,095 people were divided into two groups; those who used Facebook and those who did not. Facebook was used because it is the most used social media outlet of all age groups.
After the first week of not using Facebook, 88% said they were “happy” compared to the Facebook users who had an 81% happiness rating. As the study progressed 84% said they were satisfied with their lives compared to the 75% in the other group. Only 12% described themselves as dissatisfied, contrary to the 20 percent among those continuing to use Facebook.
According to the article at Phys.org, “At the end of the experiment, the abstainers reported having a richer social life and fewer difficulties in concentrating, while the others reported no such change.” Authors of the study stated, “Instead of focusing on what we actually need, we have an unfortunate tendency to focus on what other people have.” As part of the conclusion, the study suggested that people who use Facebook were 39% more likely to be unhappy than non-users.
Source:
“For A Happier Life, Give Up Facebook, Study,” PhysOrg, Nov. 10, 2015, http://phys.org/news/2015-11-happier-life-facebook.html
Student Researcher: Quinlan Crist, Indian River State College
Faculty Evaluator: Elliot D. Cohen, Ph.D., Indian River State College