- Men in average-status jobs rate their life satisfaction the lowest
- Women’s life satisfaction appeared to be less dependent on their job status
Men in middle-status jobs are much less satisfied with their lives than men in low- and high-status jobs, a new study shows.
Researchers from SP Jain London School of Management describe these men as the ‘miserable middle’.
However, their study found no link between occupational status and life satisfaction in women.
“The ‘miserable middle’ is caused by men who never have a high or low status job,” explains Professor Yannis Georgelli, who led the study.
‘Individuals moving from low- to mid-level jobs can also become frustrated when they don’t rise to the top of the career ladder. But men who have always been in low status roles do not experience this frustration.’
Men in middle-status jobs are much less satisfied with their lives than men in low- and high-status jobs, a new study shows (stock image)
In their research, the team wanted to understand whether or not there is a link between occupational status and life satisfaction.
They surveyed 13,500 people from across Britain, who were interviewed over 20 years.
Participants were asked to rate their life satisfaction on a scale of one to seven, while their occupational status was measured on a standard scale.
The results showed that men in middle-status jobs were the unhappiest.
“We found that men stuck in mediocre jobs were the most miserable, and that occupational mobility is the key to life satisfaction for those men,” Professor Georgellis said.
Overall, women’s life satisfaction appeared to be less dependent on their job status. However, this was not the case for highly educated women (stock image)
The researchers compare this pattern with the ‘Silver Medallist’ effect.
This describes how people who win silver medals in sports competitions are the least happy because they compare themselves to gold medal winners.
Bronze medal winners, on the other hand, are happier because they can consider the alternative of not getting a medal at all.
Overall, women’s life satisfaction appeared to be less dependent on their job status.
However, this was not the case for highly educated women.
“With the sharp increase in women’s education, which now exceeds that of men’s, occupational status appears to be playing a much greater role in the well-being of all workers,” Professor Georgellis added.