Happy People Read and Socialize While Unhappy People Watch TV
In a new study, University of Maryland sociologists John P. Robinson and Steven Martin sought to identify what activities contribute most to a happy life.
In their study, they analyzed two sets of data spanning nearly 30 years, gathered from almost 30,000 adults. In the first set of data, the participants had completed diaries regarding the activities they did in a 24-hour period and how pleasurable they found these activities. The second set of data came from the results of the General Social Survey attitudes study, which used in-depth surveys asking subjects how happy they felt and how they spent their time, among other questions.
Robinson and Martin found that the two sets of data mostly coincided with each other for most activities, with the exception of television.
The General Social Survey found that people who described themselves as happy were more socially active, attended more religious services and read more newspapers. Unhappy people, however, watched more television.
The 24-hour diaries told a different story, however. The diary participants, who were providing their ratings closer to the actual event, tended to rate television watching more highly as a daily activity.
The results, say the authors, seem to suggest that television watching provides temporary pleasure to unhappy people; but, in the long run, the participants considered it to be a waste of time and not particularly fulfilling.
Martin compares the transient pleasure provided by television to addiction: "Addictive activities produce momentary pleasure and long-term misery and regret," he says. "People most vulnerable to addiction tend to be socially or personally disadvantaged. For this kind of person, TV can become a kind of opiate in a way. It's habitual, and tuning in can be an easy way of tuning out."
The study will appear in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research.
Comments
Im 13 and im depressed
I always find myself zoned out infront of a tv trying to keep myself from my depression…It doesnt really work.. Im new to this site and hoped it would help me find myself
I am 54 and I zone out to watch my soaps,hsn or any comedy.Laughter is one of the best depression breakers I know. It’s just really good for you.
I’m a 54 yr.old female with MS and being treated for Severe clinical depression. I enjoy tv for the noice and also it does keep my mind off of every thing I don’t have controll of anymore.
Hi! am a recovering alcoholic from india.I can vouch for this on my experience. Through out my last stages of alcholism, had been suffering from depression, not to deny alcohol in itself. My depression continued for a long time since coming into recovery.Embarssment and fear of facing people n situations initially got into reading, not finding it helpfull shifted to watching TV or going on net. As it is I have good addictive traits, people saw me less n more isolated sitting infront of idiot box. One thing I found good about it is I can see n involve self on what is shown,let it be soap operas or sports or some funny shows with out any fear of consequences. I thought am very intelligently handlng my problems 1st but slowly it became a grand round viscious cycle of sitting with a glass filled drink infront of TV.Used to get very abusive n angry when somebody disturbed my comfort zone. Lived many a days alone n afraid to go out n meet people glued to my set. The false life which is acreation in itself led me to happily live my falsehood, with out doing anything positive to handle my realities.Yes, today I will say there may be many others who handle depression in the wrong way as I did. It just came into my life as alcohol had n my personality n attitude handled it wrong.Thank you for this opportunity to share.
with regards
Ankineedu
I find going out with friends or taking a walk makes me much happier then sitting home and watching the boob tube unless,of course, I am watching The Colbert Report.
Wendy Aron, author of Hide & Seek: How I Laughed at Depression, Conquered My Fears and Found Happiness
http://www.wendyaron.com
This is totally true – I have *no* social life and all I do when at home is watch tv. I hate it. I’ve been struggling with depression for years now….nothing works. I’ve finally decided to barricade myself in my house to shut out the world….which means more tv.
i agree with wendy araon but i can relate to steve by having no social life.
I have certain shows that I really like, especially mysteries and the forensic shows since I will be practicing law again soon. I also watch shows whose actors I like even if the plot line is ridiculous. There are a few comedy shows I like. I often have to heave myself off the sofa to got to my husband’s law office to work or study for the bar (after 35 years as an attorney in another state- a new bar exam is a pain). Left to my own devices, however, I would watch tv and sleep until a manic phase hits. I am addicted to the few video games I play (like Scrabble, etc. Now THOSE give me the illusion of brain activity. My therapist says to schedule my day and stick to it, which is what I am trying to do now. We bp’s need structure and by our very nature detest it. Go figure. My dad called tv the “idiot box”. Probably not far from wrong.
Judy
Totally true. My depression episodes last for months and I truly find pleasure in watching TV, particularly sports or history. It’s either that or laying in bed listening to music.
Hi, I do watch some TV but I actually read more, dispelling the theory that “happy” people read as opposed to watching TV. Reading is a way for me to escape from my depression/thoughts and is very addictive for me. I have hard time putting a book down to do the activites I need to be doing. I usually read fiction. I think for me it serves the same purpose as TV might for someone else. I would rather read than be around people. Books are much more accepting.
I believe that study is correct. I have no social life (I used to want one, but now I am too set in my ways) but I don’t watch much TV (4 or 5 shows a week). My depression makes it impossible for me to read anymore either. Now I play my handheld video games to distraction, although I would much rather play board games w/ real people. The sad thing is that I see my 16 year old daughter being sucked in by the box now and it worries me because she also suffers from depression.
Hello. I do something similar as Barb. Not having a TV, I prefer reading and when I feel lonely and want to talk to someone, I usually choose books! But I never before thought of it as an addiction.
I agree that TV can be a depressant. I got rid of mine 6 years ago, and prefer to watch comedy movies and serials such as Seinfeld on DVD. Being selective in what you watch is very important for your mood.
Kirsty Hamilton is the author of Fight Depression Today! To receive her free e-course about celebrities and their personal struggles with depression visit: http://www.fightdepressiontoday.com