Connecting and feeling: Associations between social factors and emotions in nine countries

We aimed to explore the distribution of positive and negative emotions across nine low-, middle- and high-income countries; and the association between social factors and these emotions. Data were drawn from the SAGE and the COURAGE studies, with 52,553 participants. Emotions were assessed through the day reconstruction method.Sociodemographic characteristics and social factors were also measured. Multiple linear regressions were performed. Finland, China and African countries showed significantly lower scores on the negative emotions, whereas positive emotions were more homogeneous across countries. Loneliness was positively associated with negativeemotions and negatively associated with positive ones; frequent social participation was related with higher scores in positive emotions; and lower trust with higher levels of feeling rushed, irritated, depressed and less calm. The extent to which each emotion was felt varied across countries, but there seems to exist an association of social factors with the emotions.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the distribution of positive and negative emotions across nine low-, middle- and high-income countries and the association between social factors and these emotions. Data from 52,553 participants were drawn from the SAGE and the COURAGE studies. Emotions were assessed using the day reconstruction method, and sociodemographic characteristics and social factors were measured. The findings showed variation in the extent of each emotion across countries, but suggested an association between social factors and emotions.