Resources, Family Ties, and Well-Being of Never-Married Men and Women

The lifelong singleness remains a somewhat deviant choice. In lieu of an intimate marital relationship and its potential for caring and support, what are the characteristics and consequences of family ties established by middle aged and older never-married people? Using data from a national survey, three resources-mastery, commitment to singleness, and exchanges with family-were investigated in relation to self acceptance, satisfaction with family life, and depressive symptoms of 270 never-married men and women. Gender differences are noted. Mastery was consistently important to well-being. For many, exchange of support from parents and siblings were benign. Those in the poorest health did not receive disproportionately greater assistance from family. Decisions of the never married to seek formal assistance and care beyond the family remain largely unexplored.