Social Freedom Fuels Optimism and Future Investment
A study finds people in societies with flexible social networks, where it's easy to make and leave friends, are more willing to delay current happiness for
People living in societies where it is easy to form new friendships and leave old ones are more willing to sacrifice immediate joy for long-term rewards. This tendency is driven by a stronger sense of personal control and optimism about the future, according to new research published in the journal Emotion.
Led by researcher Kuan-Ju Huang, the study explored the concept of delaying happiness-the belief that sacrificing current pleasure leads to greater future well-being. The investigation focused on how this mindset varies globally, particularly in relation to a society's level of relational mobility.
The Role of Relational Mobility
Relational mobility refers to the flexibility of social networks within a society. In high-mobility societies, like many in North and Latin America, people have significant freedom to choose their friends, partners, and social groups. In low-mobility societies, often found in East Asia, social structures are more rigid, making it difficult to form new connections or exit undesirable ones.
Huang wanted to test if this social flexibility shapes how people approach future happiness. The theory is that having choices in one's social life build a sense of control and optimism, which then encourages investing in the future.
Global Survey Reveals a Pattern
The first phase of the research analyzed data from participants across 22 countries. Participants rated how well the statement "I am always able to give up some happiness now for greater happiness later" described them. The study also measured well-being and optimism.
Results showed people in countries with high relational mobility were more likely to delay happiness. National wealth, economic inequality, and cultural individualism did not consistently predict this tendency after adjusting for response biases.
"Surprisingly, people in Japan and Hong Kong were among the least likely to believe that sacrificing current happiness would lead to future well-being," Huang told PsyPost. He explained this was linked to the especially low relational mobility in these societies. People in fixed networks may persevere and sacrifice, but not necessarily believe it will pay off in future happiness.
Optimism emerged as a key reason for the link. People in highly mobile societies reported higher optimism, which predicted a greater willingness to delay happiness. This delay was also associated with a stronger sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Comparing the U.S. And Japan
A second online study with 785 participants compared Japan (low mobility) and the United States (high mobility). It used detailed questionnaires to measure delaying happiness, optimism, and personal control.
The results confirmed the global pattern. U.S. Participants reported higher relational mobility, a stronger sense of control, greater optimism, and more willingness to delay happiness than Japanese participants. Statistical models showed a chain: high-mobility environments build a sense of control and optimism, which then predicts a willingness to invest in future happiness.
"Whether you are willing to trade some happiness now for more happiness later is not only a personality trait," Huang explained. "It is shaped by the social environment you live in." He added that not everyone has the relational opportunities that make people believe a better future is waiting.
Study Limitations and Future Research
The research has limitations. The first study had relational mobility data for only 15 of the 22 countries. The second study relied on self-reported assessments of social environments, which may not perfectly reflect objective societal conditions. Also, the data was collected at a single point in time, so it cannot confirm strict cause and effect.
Huang plans further investigation. "One line of research I am pursuing is how relational mobility may disproportionately affect people across social stratification," he said. His recent work found that people from lower social class backgrounds feel less control over their lives, especially in low-mobility societies. He concluded that 'interpersonal wealth'-having more options in relationships-may be an important driver of well-being alongside financial wealth, and questions who benefits most from relational mobility.
