- People in middle-ranking positions report the least satisfaction with their lives.
- It was discovered that women's satisfaction with life was not as closely tied to their employment situation.
The latest research shows that men in middle-ranking positions exhibit significantly lower life satisfaction compared to those in either low-end or top-tier roles.
Researchers from SP Jain London The School of Management refers to these individuals as part of the 'miserable middle.'
Nevertheless, their research failed to uncover a connection between professional standing and overall happiness for women.
"The 'miserable middle' phenomenon occurs when men find themselves neither in high-ranking nor in low-ranking positions," Professor Yannis Georgelli, who headed the study, explained.
Similarly, people who shift from lower- to mid-level positions might feel disappointed as they do not reach the pinnacle of their careers. However, men who have consistently held low-ranking roles do not undergo such disappointment.
In their research, the group aimed to determine if there is an association between professional standing and overall happiness in life.
They recruited 13,500 individuals from various parts of the UK, who were polled over two decades.
The participants rated their life satisfaction on a one-to-seven scale, with their professional standing being assessed via a recognized measurement system.
The findings showed that males in mid-level positions experienced the lowest levels of happiness.
Professor Georgellis stated that they discovered men trapped in average positions tended to be the unhappiest, and noted that being able to move between different occupations is crucial for enhancing life satisfaction among these men.
The researchers draw parallels between this pattern and what is known as the 'Silver Medallist' phenomenon.
This explains why individuals securing silver medals in sports events tend to be the least content, because they often measure their achievements against those of gold medalists.
On the other hand, Bronze medalists feel happier as they can think about the possibility of not winning any medal instead of going home empty-handed.
In general, women's overall happiness was discovered to be less influenced by their employment situation.
This, however, did not apply to women with higher education.
Professor Georgellis noted that with the significant increase in women’s education levels, which have surpassed those of men, occupational status appears likely to become a more substantial factor in the overall job satisfaction and wellbeing of all employees.
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