# Science Confirms Social Approval Hurts Happiness

> Seeking approval from everyone harms happiness, science shows.
- Title: Science Confirms Social Approval Hurts Happiness | Shortify
- Summary: Seeking approval from everyone harms happiness, science shows. Waiting for social approval reduces happiness; self-worth matters more than others' acceptance.
- Keywords: self-worth, social approval, happiness, science, journal of research in personality, american psychological association, Confirms, Social, Approval, Hurts, Psychologies
- Source: Psychologies — https://psychologies.com/moi/moi-et-les-autres-moi/On-ne-peut-pas-plaire-a-tout-le-monde-la-science-confirme-quattendre-lapprobation-sociale-est-un-frein-au-bonheur-622502
- Author: Ava Skoupsky
- Published: 2026-10-17T11:07:08+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: self-worth, social approval, happiness, science, journal of research in personality, american psychological association
## Social approval harms happiness
Wanting approval from everyone is unrealistic and can hurt your happiness.

> On ne peut pas plaire à tout le monde
## Science confirms social approval limits happiness
A 2003 study in the Journal of Research in Personality shows self-worth affects happiness.
## Self-worth matters more than approval
True happiness comes from self-worth, not seeking others' approval.
## How to build self-worth
Ask yourself: Do you love yourself? Do you respect yourself? What words would you use to describe yourself?
## Key takeaway

Waiting for social approval reduces happiness; self-worth matters more than others' acceptance.