In What Domains Does Entering a Romantic Relationship Boost Well-Being? A Longitudinal Investigation

Research shows higher well-being for partnered versus single individuals, but existing studies assess limited outcomes and do not use fully appropriate analytic methods. We assessed single people’s well-being at two timepoints 6 months apart ( N = 3,165) and assessed who did and did not remain single. There were small selection effects such that singles higher in life satisfaction and sexual satisfaction were more likely to partner. Stable partnership (as opposed to staying single or partnering then breaking up) was related to relatively small increases in life satisfaction, moderate decreases in loneliness, and larger increases in sexual satisfaction and satisfaction with relationship status. On some variables, effects were larger for men and for those with stronger initial desire for a partner. These data suggest that, for singles sufficiently motivated to partner, partnering may cause increases in well-being, especially for well-being domains like sexual satisfaction that are particularly tied to relationship status.