What Youth Is, According to a Study
For decades, emotional well-being was observed to follow a U-shaped pattern across the lifespan, with a significant dip in middle age. Recent research, however, reveals a stark shift: the peak of emotional distress is now found in youth, challenging the long-held notion of the “midlife crisis.” This article explores the findings of studies indicating a historic change in mental health trends.
The “Happiness U-Curve” and the Midlife Crisis
Historically, subjective well-being consistently displayed a U-shaped curve: high satisfaction in youth, followed by a noticeable decline in middle age, and a subsequent recovery in later life. This dip, often occurring between 40 and 50 years old, was widely recognized as the “midlife crisis” and considered a universal pattern in human development. The prevailing explanation attributed this period of heightened emotional distress to the increased pressures and responsibilities individuals faced during these years.
Global data collected over decades supported this pattern, showing a decrease in subjective well-being from childhood through middle age, followed by an increase towards old age. Concurrently, levels of malaise and unhappiness were observed to rise significantly during the middle adult years.
A Historic Shift in Mental Health
A recent study published in PLOS One highlights a substantial deviation from this historical trend. Researchers now report that the peak of emotional distress has moved from middle age to youth. To arrive at these conclusions, scientists analyzed extensive datasets:
- Data from U.S. adults, gathered through national health surveys between 1993 and 2024.
- Information from approximately 40,000 individuals in the United Kingdom, spanning from 2009 to 2023.
- Data from nearly 2 million people across 44 countries, part of the Global Minds mental health study, with information collected between 2020 and 2025.
The results were conclusive: in all analyzed populations, young people exhibited the highest levels of emotional and psychological distress. This indicates a severe worsening of mental and emotional health among youth, suggesting that the traditional “U-curve” is now less defined, with young people reporting greater levels of distress than their middle-aged counterparts.
Why Are Young People Struggling More?
While the study primarily focuses on identifying this shift, researchers explore several hypotheses to explain the underlying causes of this phenomenon.
Economic Pressures
Significant global economic crises have had a profound and lasting impact on youth. These crises have led to difficulties in accessing the job market and have contributed to stagnating wages, affecting household incomes and future prospects for young individuals.
Technology and Social Media
The rise in technology use and engagement with social media platforms directly correlates with the increase in subjective emotional and psychological distress. Factors like social comparison and constant exposure to idealized, unrealistic lives contribute significantly to emotional malaise and related problems among young people.
Healthcare Access
Cuts in healthcare services and a lack of quality assistance in mental health services further complicate the situation for young people. Insufficient resources lead to extended waiting lists, preventing individuals from receiving necessary and timely treatment.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The global COVID-19 pandemic is also identified as a factor that likely exacerbated mental health issues in youth. However, it’s crucial to note that data indicates this deteriorating mental health trend began well before the pandemic, suggesting it compounded pre-existing vulnerabilities.
Societal Implications of These Findings
The implications of these data are far-reaching and hold significant societal weight. The percentage of adolescents and young adults in the U.S. consuming antidepressants has notably increased, a trend observed even prior to the pandemic.
Mental health is intrinsically linked to physical health. Conditions such as anxiety and depression can impede physical recovery and worsen overall health status. The decline in mental health among young people has also led to a rise in hospital admissions for this age group.
Furthermore, deteriorating mental health is connected to increased suicide rates, particularly within the youth population. Beyond health, a lack of mental well-being is associated with higher rates of school absenteeism and academic difficulties, subsequently impacting their entry and performance in the labor market.