February 10, 2015
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Research has shown that, when done right, complaining can have its psychological advantages.
"You won't believe what happened to me today." "Ugh, I can't stand her." "Why me?"
Complaining is something we all do. And often, we aren't looking for solutions to our problems, just for someone to listen.
While you may find that one "Negative Nancy" in your life to be annoying, research has shown that, when done right, complaining can have its psychological advantages.
A 2014 study by psychology professor Robin Kowalski and her colleagues at Clemson University examined the relationships between mindfulness, happiness and expressions of pet peeves.
Participants were asked to list the pet peeves they had with a current or former relationship partner, as well as complete a questionnaire to measure their happiness, depression, mindfulness and satisfaction.
The study found that those who complained with the hope of achieving a certain result tended to be happier than those who simply did so for its own sake.
Read the full story from The Atlantic.
