British researchers are saying that fifty percent of a person’s sense of well-being comes from inherited personality traits. If you adopted a child with just the right genetic mix then that child’s happiness could almost be assured. Researchers found that they needed to understand personality in order to understand happiness. The personality genes, those that allow a person to be extroverted, emotionally stable, and conscientious are responsible for half of a person’s long-term happiness. Researchers further elaborated that being outgoing, calm, and reliable provide an affective reserve in a person that drives their future happiness. These certainly are positive characteristics to look for in potential birthparents when considering adoption. Wouldn’t it be ideal to adopt a genetically happy child? Of course, most of us adoptive parents were so thrilled to be chosen by birthparents that we wouldn’t dream of withdrawing for lack of a birthmother’s social qualities.

Obviously, a person’s relationships, physical health, and career have an affect on their overall sense of well-being or happiness. That seems to account for the other fifty percent of happiness according to co-researcher Tim Bates, from the School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. Bates suggested that if a people wanted to increase their level of happiness, they should practice the kinds of behaviors exhibited by calm, conscientious, extroverts. These include being active and social. If you find it emotionally challenging try it with just a few people.

This study would suggest then, that if you have a shy or withdrawn child, you should encourage some type of social networking. When we adopted older children with few interests, we enrolled them in various clubs, groups, and lessons until they found things that they enjoyed. When they found hobbies, groups, or sports that they enjoyed, they were able to create relationships with other children based on similar interests.

Personality and happiness information was collected on 973 pairs of twins for the study. This allowed researchers to identify gene evidence tied to certain personality traits and genes that predispose people to happiness. Results indicated that those people who are sociable, conscientious, and don’t worry excessively tend to be happier. Even when times are tough, those with the right gene mix can draw on internal reserves to remain happy.


Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2006