For over 50 years, the concept of a midlife crisis has been common in Western culture. This often included impulsive spending, fast cars, and feelings of dissatisfaction around ages 40 to 50. But now, experts say things are changing.
A recent paper from the UN, written by scholars Jean Twenge and David Blanchflower, reveals a serious mental health crisis among young people in six English-speaking countries. This shift is altering how we view happiness throughout our lives.
Traditionally, happiness followed a U-shape: rising in youth, dipping in middle age, and increasing again later in life. However, Twenge and Blanchflower suggest that happiness now tends to rise steadily as we grow older.
According to the study by the US National Bureau of Economic Research, the previously established U-shape in well-being is disappearing. Instead, there is a growing concern about young people’s mental health. The research analyzed survey results from countries like the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. It found that life satisfaction among young people, especially young women, has significantly decreased over the past decade.
This decline seems linked to the rise of smartphones and social media. As internet usage grew, happiness levels fell among young people. The negative impact is being felt not only in the six countries studied but also in many others worldwide.
David Blanchflower expressed concern, stating, “This may end up being a lost generation.” He noted a marked decline in wellbeing in the US and UK, pointing to social media issues like cyberbullying and body shaming as major factors. Young people are feeling increasingly isolated and are spending less time engaging in activities that connect them with others, like socializing or even dating.
“I don’t think there is any doubt you have an absolute global crisis. Young people are in deep disarray and trouble.” — David Blanchflower
Blanchflower, who previously identified a general U-shape in happiness across many countries, now acknowledges he overlooked the collapse in youth wellbeing starting around 2013. This issue intensified, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other research suggests that the youth mental health crisis is connected to factors such as social media pressure, job insecurity, and environmental concerns. Many young individuals are struggling to enter the job market due to mental health issues.
Blanchflower fears that this decline in well-being could have significant social and economic repercussions. “This could lead to students disengaging from school, affecting their future job prospects and overall productivity,” he remarked.
The UN is seeking further research to understand whether this crisis is occurring globally. “The UN sees this as a huge global crisis,” Blanchflower added. The traditional view was that life pressures caused happiness to decline but then improve with experience. Now, we may need to reassess this understanding entirely.
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