When people have an exceptionally high IQ, they may have trouble relating to those who are of average intelligence. However, gifted individuals would probably prefer to have a few social problems compared to some of the issues the BBC reports those with a low IQ could be dealing with, such as poor health and unhappiness.
The news source recently highlighted the findings of a new University College London study, which was published in the journal "Psychological Medicine." Researchers looked at data on 6,870 individuals from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey in England to gain insight into the relationship between IQ and happiness.
What the researchers learned was that individuals with a low IQ – anything within the range of 70 to 89 – were found to be less happy than those with higher IQs. In addition, study participants who possessed lower IQs were more likely to be in poor health, suffer from mental disorders and be at risk of becoming suicidal.
"Our findings provide evidence for the need to better support people in this group," said Afia Ali, co-author of the study. "Interventions that reduce these social inequalities could improve levels of happiness in people with lower IQ."
Whether individuals are happy or sad, they can see how their outlook relates to their cognitive abilities by taking an IQ test.
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