Nature
Relationships: Some Single People Actually Like Being Alone
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Aug 22, 2015 08:56 PM EDT
Science shows that we need the mental stimulation from others to physically stay alive. Yet that doesn't mean that we must be involved in a romantic relationship. In fact, some people would prefer to stay single, altogether.
New findings published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science reveal that some are much happier doing their own thing on their own time than accompanying the wants and needs of someone else, as well.
"It's a well-documented finding that single people tend to be less happy compared to those in a relationship, but that may not be true for everyone,"Yuthika Grime, a psychology doctoral candidate a the University of Auckland, said in a news release. "Single people also can have satisfying lives."
In this study, researchers surveyed about 4,000 adults in New Zealand, with close to a fifth of the survey respondents single during the study. Fnding that adults with high avoidance social goals--those who work to avoid conflicts in relationships--tended to be as happy or happier when single.
For those with high avoidance goals, avoiding conflict doesn't tend to work out in relationships, as these people were more likely to report feelings of loneliness, anxiety and lower life satisfaction.
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.
Findings suggest that our our outlook and approach will largely determine our happiness, whether involved in a relationship or single.
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TagsHuman, Love, Romance, Relationships, Survey, Social Psychological and Personality Science, University of Auckland ©2024 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.
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First Posted: Aug 22, 2015 08:56 PM EDT
Science shows that we need the mental stimulation from others to physically stay alive. Yet that doesn't mean that we must be involved in a romantic relationship. In fact, some people would prefer to stay single, altogether.
New findings published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science reveal that some are much happier doing their own thing on their own time than accompanying the wants and needs of someone else, as well.
"It's a well-documented finding that single people tend to be less happy compared to those in a relationship, but that may not be true for everyone,"Yuthika Grime, a psychology doctoral candidate a the University of Auckland, said in a news release. "Single people also can have satisfying lives."
In this study, researchers surveyed about 4,000 adults in New Zealand, with close to a fifth of the survey respondents single during the study. Fnding that adults with high avoidance social goals--those who work to avoid conflicts in relationships--tended to be as happy or happier when single.
For those with high avoidance goals, avoiding conflict doesn't tend to work out in relationships, as these people were more likely to report feelings of loneliness, anxiety and lower life satisfaction.
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.
Findings suggest that our our outlook and approach will largely determine our happiness, whether involved in a relationship or single.
Related Articles
Cyberbullying: Issues Increase Anxiety Risk Among Adolescents
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone