If You're Unhappy, You Probably Watch a Lot of TV, Study Finds

by Kaiser Hwang on November 19, 2008 at 01:03 PM

Who doesn't love television. Happy people, apparently. This is the conclusion a team of sociologists at the University of Maryland came to, anyway, after studying a survey taken with 30,000 adults over the 30-ish years from 1975-2006.

Happy people tended to watch approximately 19 hours of television a week, while unhappy people watched closer to 25 hours a week. Additionally, the happy group was more socially active, attended more religious services, and, um, read newspapers more often.

While the study may in fact show these trends, is less than one hour more television a week a sign of... anything? There are a ton of factors that couldn't have been accounted for over time as well. For instance, there was no YouTube in 1975. Nor was there 'The Sopranos.' Or Xbox 360s. With new and interactive media being a huge source of information and entertainment these days, maybe all the happy people are just playing 'Bejeweled' rather than watching television. [From: Asylum]

Tags: health, studies, top, trends, youtube

Comments

KROTCH HAMILTONNov 20th 2008 6:00PM

Neutral

You will WATCH me, You will OBEY me, You will BELIEVE in MY Values & Attachments, but most of all, You will SPEND MONEY with my Sponsors....MMMMMmmmmmKay ???

Dislike

Report

nicoleNov 20th 2008 6:30PM

Neutral

this is crap, cuz im depressed a lot, and I never watch TV, but then again, im a med student

Dislike

Report

BappyNov 20th 2008 6:51PM

Neutral

I'm unhappy. I don't watch much tv at all. I have a few favorites, like Desperate Housewives, Dirty Sexy Money, and Ugly Betty. Sometimes in the morning before my kids are up I watch the news, maybe a little Weather Channel. But I would rather read a book. My unhappiness doesn't come from the television. It comes from the fact that my husband can't be bothered to do the tiniest little thing for me, like scratching my back or rubbing my shoulders. So here's one unhappy person who doesn't watch much tv at all.

Dislike

Report

LizaNov 20th 2008 7:11PM

Neutral

Get a divorce. After the initial saddness of breaking an old habit fades, you will be much happier single.

Dislike

Report

bevNov 20th 2008 6:52PM

Neutral

i know a lot of pple who just love to watch tv for relaxation, so are they depressed? who knows. i work 2 jobs and i'm lucky if i see my couch, hahahaha

Dislike

Report

RepublikerNov 20th 2008 7:01PM

Neutral

I'm watching TV now and I want to hang myself :)

Dislike

Report

RobNov 20th 2008 7:35PM

Neutral

Yes, TV does make you miserable, because there is nothing but crap on !

Dislike

Report

charlesNov 20th 2008 8:06PM

Neutral

Wow, I watch cnbc all day. The stock market channel to those who are in the dark. Boy, am I happy?

Dislike

Report

seaNov 20th 2008 8:20PM

Neutral

I have to disagree. I'm neither depressed nor lonely and I have tv or music on most of the time. I am single, retired, in my early 60's, have had an extremely active life (with children, grandchildren, work and a terrific social life) and am just winding down a little until I have new knees and can move around in comfort. Beyond that I consider myself a well balanced, pretty happy and definitely content woman. I have a few really GOOD friends that are there always and several acquaintances that I see once in a while, am involved in animal rights and rescue and politics and I think having to be physically social and out and about involving oneself in community endeavors is over rated. I'm not a joiner, never have been and never will be. Want to make me UNhappy? Drag me to something I'm not interested in. I also have pets; they keep me busy and happy are extremely entertaining.

Dislike

Report

maryanneNov 21st 2008 12:19AM

Neutral

LIZA
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dislike

Report

u2ladyNov 20th 2008 8:35PM

Neutral

I'm only unhappy if there is nothing decent on TV to watch when I watch TV. Most of the programs are not very good and I have a great imagination so I'm often not amused by what is written today. Reality programming would be much better if the story lines were interesting instead of stupid, which so many of them are. My favorite channels are the educational channels and if there were more channels like those, TV viewing would be much better. Also, more good comedies. There is way, way too much violence and stupidity which to me, is not entertainment. As far as the supernatural stuff, it's interesting as long as it's told from both points of view and not one point, which is usually from the skeptical point of view. There needs to be better quality programming which benefits everyone. Does anyone agree ??

Dislike