In Search of the Blissful Path
Happiness is a trending topic on social media and has caught the eye of scientists eager to understand what makes people happy. Associate Professor Li Kefeng from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, along with researchers from Tsinghua University in China, Harvard University in the US, INTI International University in Malaysia, and other institutions, have published their latest findings in Nature Human Behaviour. Their study analysed data from over 100,000 people across seven countries, looking at how factors like marriage, education, and cultural background impact people’s mental wellbeing. The results offer valuable insights for developing targeted psychological interventions, aiming to boost public health on a broader scale.
Marital Status and Global Health
Traditional studies on related topics have often focused on genetics and physiological health factors, such as the association between marriage and diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. With the interplay of social and psychological factors, the relationship between marital status and mental health has gained increasing attention. Previous research indicates that married individuals tend to receive more social support and emotional reliance, resulting in lower rates of depression. In contrast, those who are unmarried, divorced, or widowed face higher risks.
Most existing studies compare married and unmarried groups, but there is a lack of detailed research on subgroups within these categories. Additionally, other potential factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural differences, age, education level, and lifestyle habits have not been thoroughly explored. These studies are often limited to specific countries, particularly in the West, leading to results that may vary by country and fail to fully reflect the global complexity.
Massive Data Across Seven Countries
To fill gaps in previous research, the team conducted an unprecedented multinational study, collecting data from 106,556 participants across seven countries: China, South Korea, Indonesia, the UK, the US, Mexico, and Ireland. After weighting, this dataset represents over 500 million adults worldwide. The team followed up with 20,865 participants for 4 to 18 years, covering four groups – unmarried, married, divorced, and widowed – ensuring the sample’s breadth and representativeness.
The study utilised eight national databases, including the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, for cross-country analysis. The data encompassed various dimensions such as gender, education level, income, smoking and drinking habits, physical and health indicators, supplementing traditional limitations.
The sample size and representativeness are unprecedented, considering global health, community wellbeing, and personal resilience. Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, the team revealed the relationship between marital status and depression with considerations given to the impact of cultural background, socio-economic status, and other factors. This provides a more comprehensive scientific basis informing the prevention and intervention of psychological issues.
Unravelling the Association Using AI
The research team used artificial intelligence techniques to analyse the causal factors related to depression. They found a significant relationship: unmarried individuals are nearly 80% more likely to experience depression compared to married individuals, while divorced or separated individuals have a 99% higher risk. These findings highlight the possible protective effect of marriage on mental wellbeing, suggesting that being single or experiencing marital breakdown can increase mental health risks.
What’s more, the findings reveal that these risks are influenced by various factors, including country, gender, and education level. For instance, unmarried individuals in Western countries are found more prone to depression than those in Eastern countries. Additionally, men exhibit a higher risk of depression than women, and those with higher levels of education are more likely to experience depression than those with lower education levels, offering new perspectives on the causes of depression.
The team conducted a cohort study over two decades, exploring other potential causal or intermediary factors. They found that drinking and smoking are significant factors for depression among unmarried individuals, especially those who drink more than five times a month. This indicates a close link between lifestyle habits and mental health.
Associate Professor Li Kefeng
Prevention and Early Intervention
Associate Professor Li Kefeng, a key figure at the AI Driven Drug Discovery Centre, is the corresponding author of the study. He stated that the objective of this study is to raise awareness about the prevention of depression. “Effective treatments for depression remain limited; prevention is more effective in reducing the burden of depression. If we can help some people prevent it, it would be a meaningful contribution to public health.”
Professor Li’s research focuses on AI-based medical data mining and analysis, as well as the treatment of mental illnesses with natural products and traditional Chinese medicine. He has served as a research associate professor at the University of California San Diego. Having extensive experience in applying AI technology in drug development, he works with different research teams and doctoral students in information technology on projects utilising smart technologies to tackle complex issues in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. “We focus on the physical and mental wellbeing of both adolescents and adults, and we also aim to improve the quality of life and care for the elderly.”
The Path to Happiness
Which brings more happiness: marriage or being single? There is no definitive answer. True happiness comes from finding your own rhythm in life and learning to safeguard your mental wellbeing amidst challenges. As scientific research progresses, the vision of a healthier and happier living environment would become clearer for everyone.
This study has captured significant attention from both domestic and international media upon its publication, with coverage from outlets like The Guardian, The Times, China News Service, and China Science Daily. It ranked in the top 5% of all research on the Altmetric Attention Score, highlighting its international impact and encouraging deeper societal reflection on the multifaceted nature of happiness.
Text | Qin Heyi, Fan Zijing (Student members of the Creative Talent Development Programme)
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