Suicide Rates High in Happiest States
New research out of Britain indicates that areas classified as the happiest residential areas in the world also happen to have the highest suicide rate.
New research out of Britain indicates that areas classified as the happiest residential areas in the world also happen to have the highest suicide rate.
The study from the University of Warwick examined data from the US as well as other international locations. The study randomly assessed the satisfaction levels of 1.3 million Americans and compared these levels with the suicidal tendencies reported by 1 million Americans.
Countries like Canada, the United States, Iceland, Ireland and Switzerland had the highest happiness ratings, but conversely these areas had high suicide rates as well.
"Deep down we are creatures of comparison, even though we may not always realize that," said study author Andrew Oswald. It emerged that while Utah was first in life satisfaction, it was also ranked ninth in highest suicide rates.
The study details appear in the April issue of the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization.
Source: Medindia