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The relationship between happiness and intelligent quotient: the contribution of socio-economic and clinical factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 September 2012

A. Ali ,
G. Ambler ,
A. Strydom ,
D. Rai ,
C. Cooper ,
S. McManus ,
S. Weich ,
H. Meltzer ,
S. Dein  and
A. Hassiotis
A. Ali*
Affiliation:
Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College London, Charles Bell House, London, UK
G. Ambler
Affiliation:
Department of Statistical Science, University College London, London, UK
A. Strydom
Affiliation:
Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College London, Charles Bell House, London, UK
D. Rai
Affiliation:
Academic Unit of Psychiatry, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Clifton, Bristol, UK
C. Cooper
Affiliation:
Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College London, Charles Bell House, London, UK
S. McManus
Affiliation:
National Centre for Social Research, London, UK
S. Weich
Affiliation:
Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
H. Meltzer
Affiliation:
Department of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
S. Dein
Affiliation:
Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College London, Charles Bell House, London, UK
A. Hassiotis
Affiliation:
Mental Health Sciences Unit, University College London, Charles Bell House, London, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: A. Ali, Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, 2nd Floor Charles Bell House, 67–73 Riding House Street, London W1W 7EY, UK. (Email: afia.ali@ucl.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Background

Happiness and higher intelligent quotient (IQ) are independently related to positive health outcomes. However, there are inconsistent reports about the relationship between IQ and happiness. The aim was to examine the association between IQ and happiness and whether it is mediated by social and clinical factors.

Method

The authors analysed data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey in England. The participants were adults aged 16 years or over, living in private households in 2007. Data from 6870 participants were included in the study. Happiness was measured using a validated question on a three-point scale. Verbal IQ was estimated using the National Adult Reading Test and both categorical and continuous IQ was analysed.

Results

Happiness is significantly associated with IQ. Those in the lowest IQ range (70–99) reported the lowest levels of happiness compared with the highest IQ group (120–129). Mediation analysis using the continuous IQ variable found dependency in activities of daily living, income, health and neurotic symptoms were strong mediators of the relationship, as they reduced the association between happiness and IQ by 50%.

Conclusions

Those with lower IQ are less happy than those with higher IQ. Interventions that target modifiable variables such as income (e.g. through enhancing education and employment opportunities) and neurotic symptoms (e.g. through better detection of mental health problems) may improve levels of happiness in the lower IQ groups.

Keywords

Borderline intellectual impairmenthappiness and wellbeingintellectual abilityintelligent quotient
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 43 , Issue 6 , June 2013 , pp. 1303 - 1312
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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