Different Effects of Intercourse on Happiness between Married and Single People : An Explanation by Merton's Theory of Anomie

This study examined the effect of sexual intercourse on happiness according to marital status using Merton's anomie theory. Using the 2000/2001 Japanese General Social Surveys with 1,798 married and 509 single analytical samples, we explored the relationship and addictive aspects of intercourse among married and single people. We examined the effects of intercourse on happiness according to marital status. Our findings are as follows: (1) For married people, intercourse increases happiness, and this effect remains after controlling for addiction, but disappears after controlling for marital happiness. (2) However, intercourse among singles decreases happiness, and this effect disappears when controlling for the addictive aspect. These findings can be explained using anomie theory. Married people have accomplished their cultural goals, so intercourse represents a relationship with their partner, increasing happiness. On the contrary, since singles do not have a formal partner and have not achieved their cultural goal, intercourse becomes an aberrant behavior to meet their cultural goals, which causes anomie and decreases happiness.