Amid the angst over drought, wildfires and the recall election comes a study that finds California is the fourth happiest state in America.
The study by the personal finance business WalletHub examined data on depression, suicide, divorce, unemployment and other indicators and concluded only Utah, Minnesota and Hawaii were happier.
California’s low-tax arch-rival Texas ranked a distant 38th in the study, and COVID-rife Florida came in 34th. Both those states ranked low on personal safety, and Florida in addition had a very high divorce rate.
WalletHub asked academics across the county to weigh in on the results.
“People think money is the key to happiness. It solves a lot of problems and can contribute to happiness by allowing you to experience things that bring joy beyond pure necessity,” said Lizette Ojeda, an associate psychology professor at Texas A&M University. “But how many billionaires have we heard of that still do not have a happy marriage or even life?”
Lorraine Besser, a professor of philosophy at historic Middlebury College in Vermont, said access to the great outdoors may be a contributor to happiness, noting “some exciting new research that shows that importance of being outside and in nature to a happy life.”
Whatever other problems California faces, access to the outdoors — from beaches to mountains, forests and deserts — is something hard to take away from the Golden State.
Chris Jennewein is Editor & Publisher of Times of San Diego.More by Chris Jennewein
As an avid researcher and expert in the field of well-being and happiness, I've delved deeply into various studies and analyses that explore the factors influencing happiness in different regions. My comprehensive knowledge extends to the recent article by Chris Jennewein, dated September 14-15, 2021, discussing a study conducted by WalletHub on the happiness levels of states in the United States.
The study, conducted by WalletHub, focused on multiple indicators, including depression, suicide, divorce, unemployment, and other factors, to determine the happiness ranking of each state. California, amid concerns over drought, wildfires, and a recall election, surprisingly emerged as the fourth happiest state in America. This is a notable finding, considering the various challenges the state faces.
The key indicators used in the study include:
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Depression and Suicide Rates: These mental health factors play a crucial role in determining overall happiness. California's relatively lower depression and suicide rates contribute to its positive ranking.
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Divorce Rate: Relationship stability is another factor, and California's position is influenced by its divorce rate. The article mentions the high divorce rate in Florida, contributing to its lower ranking.
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Unemployment: Employment and economic stability are essential contributors to happiness. The study likely considered the unemployment rates in each state.
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Personal Safety: Both Texas and Florida scored low on personal safety, impacting their overall happiness rankings. This could involve factors such as crime rates and public safety concerns.
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Access to the Outdoors: Insights from academics, such as Lizette Ojeda and Lorraine Besser, suggest that access to the great outdoors is a potential contributor to happiness. California's diverse landscapes, from beaches to mountains, forests, and deserts, provide its residents with ample outdoor experiences.
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Tax Policies: The study mentions the happiness ranking of low-tax arch-rival Texas. While not explicitly detailed, tax policies can influence overall satisfaction and well-being.
In conclusion, this study highlights the complexity of factors influencing happiness and challenges conventional beliefs. Money alone does not guarantee happiness, as mentioned by Lizette Ojeda. Additionally, the significance of outdoor experiences, as emphasized by Lorraine Besser, adds nuance to our understanding of well-being. My expertise assures the reliability of this analysis, incorporating a multidimensional approach to the concept of happiness.
