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In a recent feature for the Romanian news site Adevărul, psychologist Laura Găvan discusses why many people feel that money never seems enough, even when their income rises.
Găvan explains that the desire for a higher salary often stems from a wish to improve living conditions, secure a better home, afford a more expensive vacation, or obtain items that were previously only dreamed of. She notes that while the initial joy of acquiring these goods can be intense, it frequently fades quickly as people become accustomed to their new standard of living.
According to Găvan, the phenomenon is rooted in what psychologists call “hedonic adaptation.” The brain quickly adjusts to new circumstances, whether positive or negative, so the initial surge of satisfaction that follows a financial gain is followed by a rapid decline. This evolutionary mechanism, designed to keep people striving for more, can become a trap in modern society.
Găvan cites a comprehensive analysis that aggregated the results of 259 studies. The analysis found that individuals who place a high value on money, material goods, and success tend to be less satisfied with their lives. She stresses that this does not mean money itself causes unhappiness, but rather the importance placed on it.
She also references a 2023 study of 33,391 U.S. adults aged 18 to 65, which found that emotional well‑being generally increases with income, but the effect plateaus, especially among the least happy participants. The study did not include enough very wealthy individuals to draw conclusions about that group.
In a 2024 study involving 373 participants, researchers found a correlation between higher levels of “dispositional greed”—the tendency to want more and to be dissatisfied with what one already has—and lower life satisfaction. Participants with higher greed scores also tended to engage more in social comparison.
Găvan points out that the way people view money is often shaped early in life. Messages from parents such as “money doesn’t grow on trees,” “the poor are stupid,” or “we can’t afford that” can instill a sense that resources are always insufficient, turning money into a proxy for emotional security.
She warns that defining one’s identity by income can be harmful. When people equate self‑worth with earnings, financial setbacks can feel like personal failures, while successes become fragile confirmations that must be constantly renewed.
Găvan distinguishes between healthy ambition and a dependence on success. Healthy ambition is a direction that brings
Article source: adevarul.ro | Image credit: adevarul.ro
