Happiness & Life Satisfaction

Overall, 70% of U.S. adults describe themselves as spiritual in some way, including 22% who are spiritual but not religious. An overwhelming majority of U.S. adults (83%) say they believe that people have a soul or spirit in addition to their physical body. And 81% say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we cannot see it.

Americans are more pessimistic than optimistic about the institution of marriage and the family. At the same time, the public is fairly accepting of diverse family arrangements, though some are seen as more acceptable than others.

Key trends in marriage and family life in the United States.

Workplace diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, or DEI, are increasingly becoming part of national political debates. For a majority of employed U.S. adults (56%), focusing on increasing DEI at work is a good thing. But relatively small shares of workers place a lot of importance on diversity at their workplace.

Most workers are highly satisfied with their relationship with their co-workers and manager, but relatively few feel the same about their pay or opportunities for promotion.

Here’s a look at what surveys by Pew Research Center and other organizations have found about Americans’ mental health during the pandemic.

58% of those ages 18 to 29 have experienced high levels of psychological distress at least once between March 2020 and September 2022.

Large majorities in both parties say spending time with family provides them a great deal or quite a bit of meaning and fulfillment.

Students who are gay, lesbian or bisexual, as well as girls, were especially likely to say their mental health has suffered in the past year.

66% of women say that in the past year, they have personally thought at least some about big questions; 55% of men report the same.