Posts Tagged ‘satisfaction level’

Is Your Community Hard to Leave?

July 23rd, 2010

The phrase, “Money can’t buy happiness,” may have just taken on a whole new meaning.  According to a 2007 study done by Nattavudh Powdthavee at the University of London, when a person has less social interaction with neighbors and family members, it takes a much higher income to make him or her as happy as another person who interacts more often.  Powdthavee says in her paper, “There is substantial evidence that social relationships promote happiness for the individual.”  ”This paper explores…the satisfaction with life gained by an increase in the frequency of interaction with friends, relatives, and neighbors.”  

Powdthavee used completed British Household Panel Surveys from 10,000 randomly selected people for this research.  She found the satisfaction level of the average person who is more socially active was equal to the satisfaction level of making an extra £85,000 ($127,500) a year for someone who didn’t interact with friends or family often.  But, “Actual changes in income,” she clarifies, “buy very little happiness.”

Powdthavee goes on to say both a higher income and solid social relationships take a large investment and certain people will place a priority on either money or friendship based upon which one they feel with have a larger impact on their happiness. 

So, what does this mean for small rural communities? 

To me it firstly says that vibrant small towns have a opportunity to gain an advantage over suburbia and large, urban apartment buildings:  we know and interact with our neighbors.  Powdthavee’s study found that happiness took a significant jump when people started talking with their neighbors at least once a week.

Secondly, our communities often have civic or volunteer groups that are always willing to add another member to their board or committee.  Powdthavee also found many other studies have shown that people who socialize often with those outside of their household are the happiest; they have chosen to invest in social capital. 

Lastly, a most importantly to me, this study points out the downfall that occurs in many communities:  If a person cannot connect to his/her neighbors, become part of a group in the community or have family close by, it takes a very large sum of money (found to be a sum up to 9x a person’s annual income in the Powdthavee study) in perceived happiness to keep them in that community.  If they have no one to connect to it is very easy for them to be lured away by a job with more money or the idea of a more welcoming community. 

As we have mentioned before in this blog, connecting new comers to your community is vital.  And I will admit this is probably one of the hardest things for a community to do.  Is your community doing something to welcome and connect new residents?  If so, please share.

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