Sad Movies Make People Happier, Study Finds
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) – A recent study concluded that sad movies ultimately make people happier, Health Day reports.
A lead author of the study said it’s because tragic stories usually focus on themes of undying love, forcing viewers to reflect upon their own loved ones. The study involved 361 college students who watched a condensed version of the film “Atonement,” a love story that takes place during World War II. Participants in the study were asked questions before and after the film that determined how happy they were with their lives.
The study found that the more the film made the viewers reflect on their own lives, the happier they became. The study is published online and will appear in an upcoming print issue of Communication Research.
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