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Edinburgh, Scotland (pte029/18.07.2005/14:15) - Although being intelligent may lead to a well-paid job and good social standing, it has no influence over being happy in old age.
The study, conducted by the Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK http://www.psy.ed.ac.uk/ , involved over 400 pensioners born in 1921 who underwent intelligence tests at age 11 and 79. The group was also asked to fill out a questionnaire on "satisfaction with life" at age 80, in which their current level of happiness was assessed.
The participants responded to five statements about happiness and were asked to rate on a scale of 1 to 7 how strongly they agreed.
"We found no association between levels of mental ability and reported happiness, which is quite surprising because intelligence is highly valued in our society," says Alan Gow, who led the study.
Earlier studies have shown that being higher up on the social ladder is linked to increased happiness but Gow and his colleagues found that smart peoples' concern for achievement and their being more aware of alternative lifestyles may lead to dissatisfaction.
"Neither childhood IQ, IQ at 80 or any change in IQ over a lifetime appear to have any bearing on how satisfied you are with how your life has turned out," Gow adds. "Maybe all that is necessary is that you have the ability to carry out your daily tasks."
A spokesperson from UK charity Help the Aged said: "We have found that older people have better quality of life the healthier they are and the more financially independent they are, which supports the suggestion that intelligence is not a significant determinate."
The scientists will continue their work on how changes in cognitive functions affect happiness in increasing old age over shorter time periods.
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