I think it is cyclical. Most people start complaining about societal problems in their late teens, then by the mid to late 20’s have adjusted to life, start worrying again in the mid 30’s which lasts until they are about 45ish when things once again look up, they start declining again in their 50’s when they again become convinced everything is going to hell. this one is a longer one lasting until their early 70’s when it all becomes rosy again before plummeting one more time in your mid 80’s when you realize it really doesn’t matter to you any more.
Looking at it, it seems to relate to children.
The first stage you are coming of age, big changes in your lifestyle, leaving home, being on your own, taking responsibility for yourself for the first time.
Early married life brings an upswing, things are going your way. New job, new wife, new kids You stay fairly positive. You are comfortable in your career and can provide for your family.
As your children begin to reach their own teen years your outlook once again turns negative perhaps reflecting the views of your children, perhaps due to the additional financial stresses of providing such things as a college education for the ungrateful seeming offspring and it doesn’t become positive again as they leave home to begin their own lives.
As each successive child leaves the nest it becomes easier and your outlook improves.
Then you start worrying about your retirement and whether you will be able to be comfortable and you start the downward slide again but, your children begin to have grandchildren and you start looking up again and retirement is finally here so all is right with the world.
Then you start worrying about the money again. Can you afford to keep your home? Taxes keep going up, prices keep rising but you are now on a fixed income. Where is the extra money going to come from? And it doesn’t help that your grandkids are now moody, depresssed/manic teenage knowitalls and then they are gone, to make it on their own and you realize that it all really doesn’t matter and that life goes on within you and without you and that is a positive thing that gives you a positive outlook on life in general.
Then your spouse gets sick, the money gets tight, it is hard to remember things, surely it was better and easier when you were younger.
Then you get to thinking, your time here is short, too short to spend it worrying and depressed all the time so your latter years bring a spring back into your step.
And they you die.