They are happier men or women? The question is misplaced and it is not useful: the science confirms fact that males and females experience the emotions - good or bad they are - in a different way. To delineate the complex picture of these differences as they emerge from the latest research article published on The Conversation.
The "women's happiness" (label useful to simplify the discussion) has declined over the past 30 years, although some recent statistical studies suggest that reached its peak in old age, when the pressures related to family life decrease. Women are also a risk twice as men to develop depression, but faster to get out of it (as well as more prone to seek therapeutic help).
More overwhelming. This predisposition is balanced by the fact that the female gender positive emotions are experienced with greater intensity. Perhaps for reasons of evolution, women express more easily joy, closeness, but also fear, all components linked to social relations that, as primary accudenti figures, must cultivate. These emotions (except anger) are also shared more easily with others on a verbal level: in general, it is believed that women's happiness than men, is more related to the relational context.
Offense? Who, me? Some studies confirm that women get high scores in emotion recognition tasks, social sensitivity and empathy. Those might seem "benefits" are, however, offset by the issue of anger.
Men are more inclined to express it openly and direct it to the affected person. Conversely, for women it is not "socially acceptable" to express anger openly: therefore tend to internalize it and turn it into ruminants thoughts, a factor which, according to scientists, contribute to women's vulnerability to stress and depression.
more constants. The men show greater capacity for problem solving and cognitive flexibility, characteristics that may contribute to a more stable positive mood, less tied to external fluctuations. For their part, women are struggling to maintain a state of satisfied and happy mood if social input around them do not allow it: are more likely, for example, to make the needs of others a priority compared to their own, a feature that makes them also more prone to resentment and frustration. For men, it is easier to build a wellness linked to the pleasure and hedonism.
What unites. As you can imagine, the issue is complex, and it is even more so if you take into account the personality of each one beyond the all too simplistic generalizations. Despite the differences, the benefits of mood happiness and health concern all without distinction and important fact, are still linked to social relations, and not only individuality.
From Focus