Psychological researchers in Finland have developed an assessment to measure an individual’s commitment to social justice principles, finding a negative correlation between progressive ideals and levels of happiness in the Finnish population. The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, reveals that other Western nations may also see similar patterns among socially conscious citizens. The lead researcher, Oskari Lahtinen, aimed to understand the prevalence of these attitudes in Finnish society, as the “woke” discourse became more prevalent in the country.
The researchers developed the Critical Social Justice Attitude Scale, which identified seven beliefs commonly associated with woke people. Some of these beliefs include attributing income disparities between white and black people to racism, advocating for more diversity in university reading lists, challenging microaggressions, and recognizing privilege in society. The researchers aimed to understand how different demographics within the Finnish population perceive these woke ideas, finding that women and those in social science fields were more likely to embrace them, while men and those in STEM fields were more critical.
One surprising finding of the study was the relationship between mental health and beliefs in woke ideals. Researchers found a high prevalence of anxiety and depression in individuals who believed in statements such as attributing income disparities to racism. Overall, those who identified as left-wing were more likely to report lower mental well-being. The researchers cautioned against generalizing these findings to other Western nations without further validation of the scale in other populations. Lahtinen specifically mentioned the need for validation in North American samples to understand how these attitudes manifest in different cultural contexts.
The study involved a pilot survey with 851 participants, mostly affiliated with the University of Turku, which was later expanded to a more representative national sample of 5,000 participants. The scale was distributed through Helsingin Sanomat, Finland’s largest newspaper, to reach a broader audience. The researchers engaged in extensive reading on intersectional feminism, critical race theory, and other relevant academic disciplines to inform critical social justice, leading to the identification of the seven truisms associated with woke beliefs.
The gender divide in woke attitudes among Finns was one of the most surprising aspects of the study, with three out of five women viewing woke ideas positively compared to only one out of seven men. Women in social science, education, and humanities fields were more likely to embrace social justice efforts associated with being woke, while those in STEM fields were more critical. Lahtinen noted that these findings may not necessarily reflect similar attitudes in other Western nations and encouraged colleagues in the United States to study the prevalence of these attitudes in their own country. Further research is needed to understand how woke beliefs impact mental health and happiness in diverse populations.
In conclusion, the study from Finland sheds light on the complex relationship between progressive social justice ideals and well-being. The development of the Critical Social Justice Attitude Scale and the findings regarding the Finnish population provide valuable insights into the impact of woke beliefs on mental health. While caution is necessary in generalizing these results, further research is warranted to validate the scale and explore how woke attitudes manifest in other cultural contexts. Understanding the interplay between social justice attitudes and happiness is crucial for promoting mental well-being and broader societal discussions on justice and equality.
