Kids who are better at making and maintaining friendships early in life are more likely to be happy later in life than those who focus solely on getting good grades and achieving high test scores, a new study shows.
Psychologist Craig Olsson and his team analyzed data on 1,037 New Zealanders born between 1972 and 1973, who were evaluated at regular intervals starting at age 3 and continuing into their thirties.
The researchers reported a strong "pathway" from child and adolescent social connectedness to adult well-being and happiness.
Conversely, researchers found little connection between early language development/academic performance early in life and happiness later on.
"Happiness" was "indicated by a sense of meaning, social engagement, positive coping and prosocial values."
The study can be found in the August 3 edition of the Journal of Happiness Studies.
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