Marital Status and Happiness: How Relationships Impact Emotional Well-Being

Modern research increasingly addresses the question of what makes a person happy. One of the key factors, as numerous studies show, is marital status. An international team of researchers conducted a large-scale study to determine how happy people in relationships feel compared to those who are single, and how the quality of these relationships affects emotional well-being.

Study Scale

The study, published in the scientific journal Evolutionary Psychological Science, included data from 6,338 participants from 12 countries: Russia, China, Japan, Egypt, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, and others. Participants were divided into groups based on marital status:

• Married.
• In romantic relationships.
• Involuntarily single (desiring relationships but experiencing difficulties initiating them).
• Voluntarily single.
• “Single between relationships” (recently separated and not yet in a new relationship).

To analyze happiness levels, questionnaires were used that included scales for positive and negative emotions, questions about optimism and meaning in life, as well as an assessment of overall emotional state in recent weeks.

Study Results

Relationships and Happiness

According to the data, the highest levels of emotional well-being were observed among those who were married or in relationships. These groups demonstrated higher levels of life satisfaction, optimism, and positive emotions such as joy, self-confidence, and a sense of calm. Married participants reported experiencing happiness more often and were less likely to face neutral or negative emotions, such as sadness or guilt.

The Importance of Relationship Quality

Researchers paid special attention to the quality of relationships. Participants in relationships were asked to rate their satisfaction with their partnership. Based on these responses, three groups were identified:

1. Good relationships — participants in this category experienced fewer negative emotions and more frequently reported high levels of confidence and joy.
2. Average relationships — respondents experienced alternating positive and negative emotions.
3. Poor relationships — these participants exhibited high levels of sadness, guilt, and life dissatisfaction.

Thus, simply being in a relationship does not always guarantee happiness; the quality of the relationship plays a crucial role.

Loneliness: Voluntary and Involuntary

The results showed that single individuals were, on average, less happy than those in relationships. However, there were nuances:

• Voluntarily single individuals exhibited moderately high levels of well-being, second only to those in good relationships. This group was less likely to experience guilt or sadness, as their loneliness was a conscious choice.
• Involuntarily single individuals often experienced pessimism, life dissatisfaction, and a sense of loneliness, explained by their desire to find a partner.
• Singles between relationships demonstrated well-being levels similar to voluntarily single individuals but experienced more negative emotions related to recent breakups.

Cultural Differences

Interestingly, the impact of marital status on happiness proved to be universal, regardless of participants' country of residence. Single individuals were more likely to feel pessimistic, find less meaning in life, and report low levels of optimism.

Study Conclusions

1. Relationships increase happiness levels. People in marriages or high-quality relationships are more likely to experience positive emotions and life satisfaction.
2. The quality of relationships is paramount. Poor relationships can do more harm than being single.
3. Loneliness is not always negative. Voluntarily single individuals demonstrate moderate well-being, although it is lower than that of those in good relationships.
4. Cultural differences are minimal. The study confirms that quality relationships contribute to happiness worldwide.

Practical Benefits

The study highlights the importance of working on relationships to improve quality of life. It also shows that loneliness, especially when intentional, is not necessarily a negative factor. For people seeking a partner, focusing on building fulfilling relationships rather than simply having a relationship is essential. Thus, emotional well-being depends not only on marital status but also on understanding personal needs, the quality of relationships, and the ability to balance loneliness and social interaction.