Study challenges singlehood unhappiness myth

A study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin challenges the common belief that being single for a long time always leads to unhappiness. Researchers followed nearly 3,000 single individuals over eleven years and found that their general life satisfaction remained stable throughout the study period.

Life satisfaction stays high for most

About 90% of participants across three generations maintained a life satisfaction above the midpoint of the scale during the study period. Among the youngest participants, there was a slight decline in satisfaction over time, but it remained generally high, with some initially less happy participants even experiencing improved well-being.

Singlehood satisfaction varies by age

The study, which included German adults who had never been married and were not in committed relationships during the surveys, found that while most single individuals reported high life satisfaction, their satisfaction with singlehood varied. Among the youngest participants, 67% declared themselves permanently satisfied with their romantic situation, while older adults had more varied experiences.

Happiness and romantic longing can coexist

Some appreciated their independence, while others experienced difficulties with singlehood. It is possible to be happy in daily life while feeling a lack of affection or longing for a romantic relationship. The majority of single participants maintained a moderate to strong desire to meet a partner.

Traits linked to fulfillment

Researchers also found that the most fulfilled individuals often shared characteristics such as greater sociability and better emotional stability. However, these associations do not prove that these traits make singlehood happier, but rather highlight that singlehood is not a uniform experience and its duration does not necessarily determine happiness.

Freedom and hope coexist in singlehood

Individuals can appreciate their freedom, find satisfaction in their current lives, and hope to meet someone without waiting for a romantic relationship to start enjoying life.