Young people are increasingly choosing single life as a lifestyle associated with independence and personal self-determination, but this choice may have long-term repercussions on mental health.
A study conducted by the University of Zurich found that people who remain single for extended periods experience a greater decrease in life satisfaction and higher levels of loneliness and depression, particularly in their late twenties.
Currently, singleness is often portrayed in the media as a personal choice reflecting an individual's desire for independence and self-realization. Terms such as "self-sufficiency," "living alone," and "singleness as a lifestyle" are frequently promoted in public discourse. This coincides with a noticeable trend among many young people to choose not to commit to formal romantic relationships.
In a recent study, a team from the University of Zurich attempted to analyze the long-term impact of remaining single on young people's psychological well-being. The study relied on data from over 17,000 young men and women in Germany and the United Kingdom, none of whom had been in a romantic relationship at the start of the study, and who were tracked through annual questionnaires from ages 16 to 29.
The results showed that males with higher levels of education, as well as those who initially reported lower well-being, were more likely to remain single for longer. Living conditions also had an impact, with those living alone or with their parents being more likely to remain single.
When tracking changes in emotions and psychological state, researchers found that young adults who remained single for extended periods experienced a more pronounced decline in life satisfaction and increased feelings of loneliness over time. This gap became more pronounced in their late twenties, a period that also sees a rise in depressive symptoms. These general trends were similar for both men and women.
One positive finding was that entering into a first romantic relationship had a clear positive impact. Young people experienced improved life satisfaction and a decrease in loneliness after starting the relationship, and this improvement persisted in the long term. However, no similar effect was observed on depressive symptoms.
The researchers concluded that remaining single for an extended period during young adulthood may be associated with some moderate risks to psychological well-being. They also point out that the well-being gap between those who are in relationships and those who remain single widens over time, which may make starting a first relationship more difficult with age, especially since a lower level of well-being itself may reduce the chances of forming new relationships.
