Are People in Relationships Happier Than Singles? Science Says Yes—With a Catch

Sunday, November 24, 2024.

Ever wondered if couples are really happier than their single friends?

Maybe you’ve scrolled through Instagram, side-eyeing those picture-perfect couples, while quietly relishing your solo Netflix binge.

Well, the verdict is in: people in relationships tend to be happier than singles, but—as with all things in life—it’s complicated.

A recent cross-cultural study, published in Evolutionary Psychological Science, dives deep into the emotional wellbeing of singles and couples across 12 countries.

The research reveals that intimate relationships, especially good ones, are strongly tied to higher life satisfaction and emotional wellbeing.

But before you run off to find a partner (or throw your phone across the room), let’s unpack the nuances with a dash of humor and a whole lot of science.

The Study: Singles vs. Mates

Researchers Menelaos Apostolou and colleagues set out to answer a deceptively simple question: Do people in relationships experience better emotional health than singles?

Spoiler alert: Yes, but there’s a twist.

Who Took Part?

The study surveyed 6,338 participants from 12 diverse nations, including China, Egypt, Greece, Japan, and the UK. These weren’t just romantic hopefuls—they represented all walks of life:

• Married: Lovingly (or begrudgingly) hitched.

• In a relationship: Romantically involved but not married.

• Involuntarily single: Struggling to find a partner but wanting one. Think, “It’s not you, it’s them.”

• Voluntarily single: Loving the single life—self-partnered and thriving.

• Single between relationships: Recently uncoupled and navigating the liminal space of self-discovery (or rebound dating).

How Was Happiness Measured?

Participants filled out a series of surveys, and no, they didn’t just ask, “Are you happy?” The researchers went full scientific:

• Life Satisfaction: Rated on the Satisfaction with Life Scale.

• Emotional Wellbeing: Evaluated using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (because why settle for one type of emotion?).

• Happiness: Measured as a percentage of time spent in happy, neutral, or unhappy states.

• Optimism and Purpose: Because apparently, we’re all existential philosophers now.

Those in relationships also rated their relationship quality, which ranged from good to moderate to bad. (And yes, we’re all curious about the “bad” group—more on that later.)

The Findings: Love and Happiness Are (Mostly) Linked

Couples Are Happier, but Not Just Any Couples

It turns out, quality matters.

People in high-quality relationships scored highest on happiness and life satisfaction. Positive emotions like joviality and self-assurance were abundant, while negative ones like guilt and sadness stayed in the shadows.

Meanwhile, those in bad relationships fared no better than singles, proving that it’s better to fly solo than to share your life with someone who snores and doesn’t wash the dishes.

Singles: It’s Complicated

Not all singles are the same:

• Involuntarily Single: The least happy group. These folks reported the lowest life satisfaction, optimism, and meaning in life. Loneliness and sadness were frequent uninvited guests.

• Voluntarily Single: Scored higher than their involuntarily single peers but lower than those in relationships. They’re doing fine—just not great.

• Single Between Relationships: Somewhere in the middle, often still recovering from their last relationship. (Pro tip: steer clear of their social media posts. It’s mostly Taylor Swift lyrics.)

Married Bliss?

Married folks consistently reported the highest levels of happiness and emotional stability, likely due to the perks of long-term partnership—shared responsibilities, emotional support, and someone to binge-watch crime dramas with.

This study spanned continents, yet the results held steady: relationships boost happiness across cultural boundaries. Whether in Turkey or Peru, the trends were the same—being in a relationship, particularly a satisfying one, was linked to higher emotional wellbeing.

The Big “But”

Here’s where it gets tricky: this study is cross-sectional, meaning it captured a snapshot in time.

While relationships and happiness are correlated, we can’t say for sure which causes which.

Does being in a relationship make people happier, or are happier people more likely to find and maintain relationships? It’s the classic chicken-or-egg dilemma, but with more romantic drama.

What Does This Mean for You?

Whether you’re single or in a relationship, the takeaway is clear: quality trumps quantity.

A fulfilling partnership can be a boon for your mental health, but a toxic relationship might drag you down.

And if you’re single, there’s good news too: voluntary singlehood and periods of self-reflection can still bring emotional benefits.

Here’s the kicker: happiness doesn’t come solely from a relationship—it’s about finding meaning, purpose, and joy in the life you’re living.

Relationships can be wonderful, but let’s not romanticize them as a cure-all for unhappiness.

Whether you’re riding solo or partnered up, the key to happiness is building a life that feels meaningful to you. If that includes someone to share it with, fantastic.

If not, don’t sweat it—science says you can still find plenty of joy.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Apostolou, M., Sullman, M., Błachnio, A., Burýšek, O., Bushina, E., Calvo, F., Costello, W., Helmy, M., Hill, T., Karageorgiou, M. G., Lisun, Y., Manrique-Millones, D., Manrique-Pino, O., Ohtsubo, Y., Przepiórka, A., Saar, O. C., Tekeş, B., Thomas, A. G., Wang, Y., & Font-Mayolas, S. (2024). Emotional wellbeing and life satisfaction of singles and mated people across 12 nations. Evolutionary Psychological Science. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxxxx