Is Happiness Genetic?

While about half of the happiness we experience in life comes from factors such as relationships and health, the rest of it may be a matter of inheriting the right genes, shows a new study on twins.

Researchers measured 973 identical and fraternal twin pairs against the Five-Factor Model of personality. They also used questionnaires to measure participants' subjective well-being.

Results showed high scores for conscientiousness and social and physical activity and low scores for worrying correlated directly to measures of happiness. Comparing personality questionnaires between identical and fraternal twins, researchers found strong evidence that these personality traits are linked to common genes.

The study notes that life circumstances have a strong impact on individual happiness, but suggests that the genetic disposition toward traits associated with happiness creates "an affective reserve, which can be called upon in times of stress and recovery."

FULL TEXT: Happiness Is a Personal(ity) Thing: The Genetics of Personality and Well-Being in a Representative Sample (PDF)