Long-Term Singleness Linked to Declining Well-Being, Especially in Late 20s: New Study
A new study reveals that young adults who remain single for extended periods experience a noticeable decline in life satisfaction, coupled with increased feelings of loneliness and depression, particularly as they approach their late twenties. While societal narratives increasingly frame singlehood as a positive lifestyle choice, research from the University of Zurich (UZH) suggests a more complex reality.
The growing trend of embracing “self-partnership,” “solo living,” and “singlehood” is increasingly visible in media portrayals, yet a significant number of young adults are choosing to forgo committed romantic relationships. This prompted researchers to investigate the long-term effects of remaining single on overall well-being.
Researchers at UZH analyzed data from over 17,000 young people in Germany and the United Kingdom, tracking participants annually from ages 16 to 29, all of whom had no prior relationship experience at the study’s outset. The goal was to understand the factors contributing to prolonged singlehood and its impact on mental and emotional health.
The analysis identified several key factors associated with remaining single longer. According to the study, men, individuals with higher levels of education, those reporting lower current well-being, and those living alone or with parents were all more likely to remain unpartnered. “Our results demonstrate that both sociodemographic factors such as education and psychological characteristics such as current well-being help predict who will enter into a romantic relationship and who won’t,” stated a senior researcher involved in the study.
Further investigation focused on the development of life satisfaction, loneliness, and depression levels among those who remained single compared to those who entered relationships later in life. The findings indicate that consistent singles experienced a greater decline in life satisfaction and increasing loneliness over time. These negative effects became more pronounced in their late twenties, coinciding with a rise in reported depressive symptoms. Importantly, these patterns were observed consistently across both men and women.
Interestingly, the study also examined the impact of entering a first romantic relationship. Researchers found that initiating a partnership led to improvements in life satisfaction and a reduction in feelings of loneliness, both in the short and long term. However, no significant effect was observed regarding depressive symptoms.
“Overall, our findings show that remaining single for a prolonged period in young adulthood is associated with moderate risks to well-being,” explained a lead researcher. The differences between long-term singles and those who partnered later were minimal during adolescence but grew substantially as singlehood persisted.
This suggests that finding a partner may become more challenging in one’s late twenties, particularly as diminished well-being can further contribute to prolonged singlehood. “This suggests that entering a first relationship may become more difficult when people are in their late twenties—especially since lower well-being also increases the likelihood of remaining single for longer,” the researcher added.
The research, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, underscores the importance of considering the psychological impact of prolonged singlehood in a society that often celebrates independent lifestyles.
Source: University of Zurich.
