Anticipated unhappiness in old age linked to young men’s binge drinking

A study at Queen’s University Belfast suggets young men who believe that happiness declines with age are more likely to engage in risky health behaviors such as binge drinking. Their misguided negative view of the aging process may act as a disincentive to behave ’sensibly’ and encourage them to make the most of the present in anticipation of ‘miserable’ old age.

Although the harmful effects of excessive drinking, smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise are widely publicized, significant numbers of young people binge-drink, smoke, and avoid fruit and vegetables as well as regular exercise.

The study findings are published online in Springer’s Journal of Happiness Studies.