Poll finds increased U.S. unhappiness

CHICAGO, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A University of Chicago survey published Monday shows four percent more people in the United States are unhappy than a sample were in the same survey in 1991.

The school's National Opinion Research Center study on life's negatives surveyed 1,340 people about negative life events, and found the percentage that reported at least one significant negative life event increased from 88 percent to 92 percent. Most of the problems were related to increased incidents of illness and the inability to afford medical care; mounting bills; unemployment and troubled romantic relationships, USA Today reported.

Those questioned were asked about 60 specific problems, and they could each list up to two additional problems. By weighting each problem and using a formula, the troubles could be compared, the study's author, Tom Smith said.

The report is part of a larger study known as the General Social Survey, which is supported by the National Science Foundation and financed through grants.