State of the nation can influence people's emotions, study says

By Staff Writer

A high national unemployment rate and a sputtering economy has left the U.S. in a melancholy state in recent years, and parents may want to see if these difficult times have negatively impacted their children's emotional well-being.

Although many teens are influenced by their immediate surroundings, such as their family, friends and community, a new study reveals that the overall mood of an entire country can be associated with how people feel about their lives.

The findings, which appear in the journal Psychological Science, are based on a Gallup World Poll that reached 130,000 people in 128 different countries. They found that people who felt good about their country's prosperity were more likely to be satisfied with their lives.

The study's co-author said that societal characteristics become even more important when one's life is not going well. He added that these findings explain why nationalism, loyalty to sports teams and religion become very important to individuals who are struggling in their personal lives.

Adolescents who have emotional disorders may benefit from wilderness therapy programs, which aim to provide help for troubled teens.