While many Americans experience marriage or serious relationships in their lifetime, an increasing number are opting to remain single. Although previous research has shown that single individuals can find fulfillment comparable to those in relationships, recent studies suggest that being in a partnership may offer certain advantages.
A German study involving over 77,000 adults aged 50 and above examined the Big Five personality traits—extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism—and found that lifelong singles reported lower life satisfaction than those who were either currently or previously in relationships.
Singles were also generally less extraverted and open compared to partnered individuals. Among singles, women reported higher life satisfaction than men, and older singles tended to be more content with their single status than middle-aged individuals. Researchers believe this could be because older singles may have moved beyond societal expectations related to marriage and family-building.
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Published in Psychological Science, the study surveyed participants from 28 countries, with an average age of 68. Six percent had never married, four percent had never cohabited, and three percent had never been in a long-term relationship. Participants rated their life satisfaction on a scale from 0 (completely dissatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied).
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Lead author Julia Stern, a senior researcher at the University of Bremen, emphasized the importance of recognizing the unique needs of lifelong singles. “There are differences between people who stay single their entire lives and those who get partnered, and for me, this means we must take extra care of these people,” she said.
Stern suggested that lifelong singles might experience lower life satisfaction due to fewer support systems and financial challenges, particularly in older age when health and financial concerns become more pressing.
Interestingly, the study noted that personality shifts brought on by relationships could be temporary. For example, an extraverted individual might briefly take on their introverted partner’s traits but would likely revert to their natural tendencies over time.
These findings align with broader research indicating that single people are at greater risk of depression. The growing trend of delaying or avoiding marriage has also been linked to declining fertility rates in the U.S.
“When there are differences, they might be especially important in elderly people who face more health and financial issues,” Stern added. “They need more help, and that help is often provided by a partner.”
