Study says people with less intelligence are more likely to be unhappy

A study by UK researchers has shown that people with lower intelligence are more likely to be unhappy then their brighter colleagues.

The study of 6,870 people showed that low intelligence was often linked with lower income and poor health which contributed to unhappiness.  

The researchers, at University College London, analysed data from  The Adult Psychiatric Morbity Survey in England. 

The researchers asked a question, “Taking all things together,  how would you say you were these days-very happy, fairly happy or not too happy?  The verbal IQ of people was  also assessed.

The highest proportion stated they were very happy was found in people with an IQ between 120 and 129.  Meanwhile, 43% said they were very happy.

Meanwhile, the highest proportion saying not to happy, i.e; 12% was found in people with an IQ between 70 and 79. 

One of the researchers, Dr. Angela Hassiotis said, “People in the lower end of the normal spectrum are more likely to consider themselves not happy.” 

The study states lower intelligence was linked to lower income, worse health and needing help with daily life such as housework or shopping. All these were contributed to unhappiness.

Dr. Hassiotis said, “There is some evidence that long-term intensive strategies directed at young children from socially deprived backgrounds can have a positive impact not only on IQ, but also on wellbeing and life opportunities.” 

A consultant psychiatrist and director of public health at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Dr. Jonathan Campion said, “The study suggests that higher IQ appears to be associated with improved  wellbeing,  but that this relationship between IQ and wellbeing is partly due to higher IQ being linked with better income,  health and  mental illness.” 

Mr. Campion also said, “The study was particularly helpful as it identified some of the factors that mediate the relation between IQ and happiness, as also highlights interventions to prevent lower IQ leading to greater unhappiness.”