We all know quality time with our family is important, but new research suggests spending the evening out with your friends is just as, or even more, beneficial.
A recent study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, has found people typically tend to report higher levels of wellbeing when they’re around their friends, compared to times they spend with their romantic partners or children.
More than 400 participants were asked to reflect on times they’d spend with their friends and family, and describe the emotion these experiences had left them with.
To further refine the data, participants were asked to rate each emotion from 0 to 6.
Pals over partners – and kids
Researchers found the highest levels of happiness where typically times when participants were with their friends as opposed to their partners or children.
There is a considerable caveat though – the findings depended on what activity was being taken part in.
“Our study suggests that this doesn’t have to do with the fundamental nature of kith versus kin relationships,” the study’s lead author, Professor Nathan Hudson from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Texas said.
“When we statistically controlled for activities, the ‘mere presence’ of children, romantic partners, and friends predicted similar levels of happiness. Thus, this paper provides an optimistic view of family and suggests that people genuinely enjoy their romantic partners and children.”
Families more likely to spend time in ‘unpleasant’ tasks
This makes sense to us.
People tend to spend time with friends doing enjoyable activities. Family members occasionally find themselves helping out with unpleasant tasks (taking the rubbish out, anyone?), and this explains the lower ratings.
So, what’s the lesson here?
Professor Hudson believes if the research indicates anything, it’s that we need to make more time for enjoyable activities with our family members, and not just our friends.
“It’s important to create opportunities for positive experiences with romantic partners and children – and to really mentally savour those positive times. In contrast, family relationships that involve nothing but chores, housework, and childcare likely won’t predict a lot of happiness,” he added.
We couldn’t agree more!
