A paper published in 2013 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology determined that people who harbor a strong fear of being single often end up in relationships that leave them unhappy.
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Contrary to previous research that associated being single with a lower life satisfaction and poorer physical and psychological health, the study noted that for some individuals, being single may actually lead to a more “zen” life – removing some of the anxiety triggered by relationship conflicts.
Singles are just as happy as those in relationships – if it means they can avoid turmoil and strife, new research from the University of Auckland shows.
There was a time when it was considered as a mandate to be in a relationship, as it was being said that people who are in relationship are happier than those who are single.
In a survey of more than 4,000 residents, people with high “avoidance social goals” – who try at all costs to avoid relationship disagreements and conflict – were just as happy being single as other people were in relationships. However, they suffer the most emotional pain while they are single. While high avoidance goals may help people be happier when they are single, it can have negative effects in a relationship, contributing to anxiety, loneliness, lower life satisfaction, and an unhealthy focus on negative memories, according to prior research.
Single people also now outnumber married adults in the United States, with more than 128 million singles representing 51 per cent of the adult population. The study participants ranged in age from 18 to 94 years old with long-term relationships lasting nearly 22 years on average. But they were not unhappy when single, substituting closeness with family and friends for romantic ties. Genetics in particular can greatly impact people’s personality traits, and whether they feel that life is good or bad, according to Chicago Tribune. A separate survey was conducted involving 187 University of Auckland students.
At any given second, there are literally thousands of individuals on the lookout for an escape route from their relationship.
On the other hand, those with higher “approach social goals”, or those who direct their energy toward promoting intimacy and growth in a relationship, tended to be happier in their relationships and fared better with a partner than alone.
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But this traditional stereotype may need to be re-written as a study has found that many people are happier going it alone.
