• Happiness is highly individualized, influenced by a combination of internal attitudes and external circumstances, with varying degrees of impact for different people.
• A study of over 40,000 people across multiple countries revealed that only a minority exhibited bidirectional influences, meaning both internal and external factors impacting happiness.
• Effective strategies to improve happiness should be tailored to individual needs, addressing both external factors (e.g., health, income) and internal factors (e.g., resilience, purpose).

A recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour challenges the traditional models of happiness, suggesting that it's not solely determined by external circumstances or internal attitudes but varies widely among individuals. The research, involving over 40,000 participants from multiple countries, indicates that some people's happiness is primarily shaped by life domains like income and relationships, while others draw happiness from internal qualities. This personalized approach to happiness emphasizes the need for tailored policies and interventions to improve well-being, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

• What: Research reveals that happiness is individualized, influenced by internal factors (personal attitudes, qualities), external factors (income, relationships), or a mix of both.
• Who: Emorie Beck (UC Davis), Joshua Jackson (Washington University in St. Louis), Felix Cheung (University of Toronto), Stuti Thapa (University of Tulsa), and over 40,000 participants from Germany, Britain, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Australia.
• When: The study was published in Nature Human Behaviour on May 2, 2025, with data collected over a period of up to 33 years.
• Where: The research involved participants from Germany, Britain, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Australia.

The study's findings challenge the traditional 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' models of happiness, suggesting that a personalized approach is necessary. The implications are significant for policymakers and intervention strategies, indicating that a one-size-fits-all approach to improving well-being is unlikely to be effective. Instead, policies should address both external factors like health and income and individual qualities like resilience and purpose in life. Furthermore, cultural differences in the perception and prioritization of happiness suggest that well-being initiatives should be culturally sensitive and tailored to specific populations.

We have to understand the sources of happiness to build effective interventions.

In Western cultures and in academia that is dominated by Western values, we frequently treat subjective well-being and happiness as equivalent. But if you go beyond western way of thinking, it is just simply clear that a good life or well-being is more than just being happy. Happiness is important, happiness is fundamental…but it's not the full story

The emerging understanding of happiness emphasizes its highly individualized nature, challenging broad generalizations and one-size-fits-all approaches. Research indicates that both external and internal factors play a role, but the influence varies significantly from person to person. This refined perspective calls for tailored interventions and policies that consider individual circumstances, cultural contexts, and personal qualities to effectively improve well-being. Further research is needed to explore the complexities of personalized happiness and develop effective strategies to promote it.