eMJA: In Other Journals, 2 February 2009

Happiness appears to be contagious, according to US researchers. In a longitudinal social network analysis observing over 4500 participants for 20 years, happiness was measured in each individual and in people in his or her social network. Analysis of the results showed that happy people tend to be connected to each other in happy clusters. Happiness was observed to spread across an array of social ties, including family relationships and friendships, with clustering occurring in groups of people separated by up to three degrees of separation (ie, friends of friends). Also, happier people tend to be in the centre of their local social networks, and these individuals are more likely to stay happy in the future, an effect that remained significant even when the researchers controlled for age and education. The authors comment that their research has relevance for public health, with the health and wellbeing of one person clearly affecting that of others.

NB: If you are registered with the eMJA, your username is the email address you have provided.
If you don't have a login, click here for subscription options. You will be prompted to create an account upon purchase.

AMA members can login using their AMA username and password.
If you don't know your AMA password, please contact the AMA on 02 6270 5400 or membership@ama.com.au, or try to retrieve your password at this address.

Username:
Password:

Password forgotten? Click here What is my username?