Are single people satisfied with their ' single' life?
Are single people really happy? Does their level of happiness change over time?
Are single people really happy? Does their level of happiness change over time? If they are happy, what is the source of their positive feelings — is it the satisfaction of being alone, without a partner, or is it the satisfaction of life in general? These are just some of the questions that recent research has attempted to answer. If you are single and trying to find your life partner as soon as possible, keep reading - you might be surprised by what you find.
THE LATEST RESEARCH ON SINGLES AND THEIR LIVES
The sample of the study that tried to answer these eternal questions and dilemmas consisted of 3,439 participants (in ten stages), ranging in age from 14 to 39 years. The vast majority of singles in the survey never married, 5% were separated or divorced, and 0.2% were widowed. The sample also included participants who were not single at the beginning, but later they became single. Most of these people were in "romantic relationships without cohabitation" during the first wave. The study used two measures to examine the relationship between single life and happiness, or life satisfaction:
- Satisfaction with "single" life (without a partner): "How satisfied are you with your situation as a single person?"
- Overall life satisfaction: "Overall, how satisfied are you in general with your life right now?"
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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SINGLE LIFE SATISFACTION AND GENERAL LIFE SATISFACTION
The results of this study showed a "positive two-way relationship between satisfaction with single life and life satisfaction", and in particular that:
- Greater satisfaction with single life predicted greater overall life satisfaction one year later
- Greater life satisfaction predicted greater single life satisfaction one year later
In general, life satisfaction was a stronger predictor of future single life satisfaction than the opposite. Specifically, the impact was three times greater in the first case. In other words, in most cases, being happy was associated with greater satisfaction and happiness from being single, while only in some cases, being "happy single" was associated with "being happier overall." Another important finding was that not all single people are equally satisfied with their lives. Usually, those who are less satisfied with their single life and independence were men, people with a higher level of education, poorer health and less satisfied with life in general. Although singles were mostly satisfied with being alone and with their lives in general, data analysis showed that both types of satisfaction declined over the years. Why?
First, consider the decline in overall life satisfaction. Perhaps singles who were generally satisfied with their lives, compared to those who were dissatisfied, were more likely to form partnerships, which over time led to reduced life satisfaction. As for the decline in single life satisfaction, there is no simple explanation. But it's important to note that the satisfaction that comes with a romantic relationship and marital happiness often also decline as the years go by.
SINGLE LIFE, HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT - WHAT'S THE KEY?
The result of this study challenge was - individuals who are not in a romantic relationship are unhappy and dissatisfied because they are lonely. As this peer-reviewed study found, single people are, on average, "equally satisfied with their life in general and their single life." So, happy single people do exist. And in large numbers. The level of satisfaction with single life depends on a number of factors. It is important to remember that singles are not a homogenous group.
For example, some have never had a romantic partner, and others were in a romantic relationship before, but unlike others, never married. Additionally, there is a big difference between a personal choice to be single, failure to find a suitable partner, and singles whose "single" status is the result of divorce or the death of a partner.
In short, just knowing that someone is single does not tell us what being single actually means for him, that is, how much it will affect his satisfaction with his life and how he will fulfill his needs for togetherness, support and closeness. A person who has a great circle of friends, hobbies and family support will certainly be more satisfied with life and happier in their single life than someone who is lonely, single or not.
Post By: Vanessa F.
