U-shaped happiness

This article claims that happiness worldwide follows a consistent pattern, high in youth, declining in middle age and rising again into old age:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20591893

U-shape pattern is global, but age at which happiness is lowest differs between countries.
Happiness hits rock bottom at 35.8 years in UK; low point in US only emerges a decade later; in Italy, happiness hits low at 64.2 years.
US citizens are less happy with each passing decade since 1900; in Europe, happiness declined until 1950 and has been increasing steadily ever since.
Women are at their least happy at 38.6 years on average; males hit low point at 52.9 years.

Questions:
What could explain the radical difference in the age of minimum happiness between countries (nearly thirty years in the case of the UK and Italy)?
What explains rising European happiness versus declining American happiness since 1950?
What explains the difference in least happy ages between the sexes?

I am rather pleased that I will reach the age of minimum happiness in Britain next year! Things can only look up from here!

Originally posted by Teinosuke
This article claims that happiness worldwide follows a consistent pattern, high in youth, declining in middle age and rising again into old age:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20591893

U-shape pattern is global, but age at which happiness is lowest differs between countries.
Happiness hits rock bottom at 35.8 years in UK; low point in US only will reach the age of minimum happiness in Britain next year! Things can only look up from here!

Italians don't pay close attention is why. Americans are the same as the UK if you add in 10 years of cock-eyed optimism (or denial -- you pick).

After WWII, Europe had nowhere to go but up, whereas America was at the top of its game. Just regression to the mean.

Responsibility is depressing. Remove responsibility and we feel happy.

Originally posted by Teinosuke
This article claims that happiness worldwide follows a consistent pattern, high in youth, declining in middle age and rising again into old age:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20591893

[i]U-shape pattern is global, but age at which happiness is lowest differs between countries.
Happiness hits rock bottom at 35.8 years in UK; low point in US only ...[text shortened]... will reach the age of minimum happiness in Britain next year! Things can only look up from here!

Snide whodey comment in 3...2...

Originally posted by spruce112358
Responsibility is depressing. Remove responsibility and we feel happy.

It seems from the stats given that men are most depressed at the age when they're likely to have young children. And women at most depressed at the age when their children are likely to be leaving home.

So maybe it's only men who feel happy when responsibility is removed!

Originally posted by Teinosuke
It seems from the stats given that men are most depressed at the age when they're likely to have young children. And women at most depressed at the age when their children are likely to be leaving home.

So maybe it's only men who feel happy when responsibility is removed!

Parental responsibility is never removed.

Originally posted by JS357
Parental responsibility is never removed.

I hear that.