Is racial identity tied to happiness?

Washington: Black people who identify more strongly with their racial identity are generally happier.

"This is the first empirical study we know of that shows a relationship between racial identity and happiness," said Stevie C.Y. Yap, doctoral candidate in psychology at the Michigan State University, who led the project.

The study is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the journal Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology reports.

Previous research has found a relationship between racial identity and favourable outcomes such as self-esteem, Yap said, but none has made the link with happiness, according to a Michigan University statement.

Results suggest the more the participants identified with being black or the more being black was an important part of who they are, the more happy they were with life as a whole, Yap said.

The study also explored the reasons behind the connection. Yap said it may be fueled by a sense of belongingness - that is, blacks with a strong sense of racial identity may feel more connected to their racial group, which in turn makes them happy.

This sense of belongingness is especially important for happiness in women, Yap said. "For men, the potential factors relating identity to happiness is still an open question," he said.