Targeted health support needed for those with lower IQs

Targeted health support is necessary for people with lower IQs according to new research which shows that they are unhappier and more likely to have poorer health than people with higher IQs. The study, published in the journal Psychological Medicine, is the first to demonstrate the role of socio-economic and clinical factors, providing new insight into the relationship between IQ and happiness. Researchers from UCL analysed data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey in England, which was designed to be representative of people living in private households. Aged 16 or over, the 6,870 participants were ed about their education, health, income, and social life; happiness was measured on a three point scale and verbal IQ estimated using the National Adult Reading Test (NART). In particular, people in the lower IQ range (70-89) - who comprise around 15% of the UK population - are more likely to be socially disadvantaged and less happy compared to people with higher IQ, and have a higher prevalence of common mental disorders and suicidal behaviour.  "We found that IQ is associated with self-reported happiness, as levels of happiness were lowest in the lower IQ groups and highest in the higher IQ groups," said lead author Angela Hassiotis (UCL Mental Health Sciences Unit). "This is particularly relevant when considering the current political debates on happiness."  - When looking at the data we saw that people with a lower IQ were less likely to be happier because of higher levels of socio-economic disadvantage such as lower income - Angela Hassiotis "When looking at the data we saw that people with a lower IQ were less likely to be happier because of higher levels of socio-economic disadvantage such as lower income," added Hassiotis.