If you've ever wondered why finding a partner seems so difficult, a significant new study from the University of Zurich offers some compelling, and for some, surprising answers. The research, which tracked thousands of young adults in the UK and Germany, pinpoints the specific socio-demographic and psychological factors that predict who is likely to remain single for longer periods during their youth.
The Profile of Prolonged Singlehood
The research team, led by co-author Michael Krämer, recruited over 17,000 participants from the UK and Germany. All were aged 16 at the study's outset and had no prior romantic relationship experience. They were then surveyed annually until the age of 29, providing a rich longitudinal dataset on their characteristics, attributes, and life circumstances.
The analysis revealed a clear profile of those who stayed single for longer. Higher levels of education were strongly linked to prolonged singlehood, challenging the assumption that university is a prime meeting ground. Furthermore, living with parents was also associated with a higher likelihood of remaining unattached. The study also found that men, on average, tended to stay single for longer than women.
Psychological Wellbeing and Living Situations
Beyond demographics, psychological state played a crucial role. Individuals who reported lower current wellbeing and unhappiness were more likely to be long-term singles. Interestingly, the researchers discovered that living alone was another risk factor, suggesting that sharing a home with friends or flatmates might provide better social opportunities for finding a partner.
'Our results demonstrate that both socio-demographic factors such as education, and psychological characteristics such as current well-being, help predict who will enter into a romantic relationship and who won't,' explained Dr. Krämer.
The Impact on Wellbeing Over Time
The second part of the study examined how life satisfaction, loneliness, and depression levels evolved among consistent singles compared to their peers who entered relationships. The findings were stark: young adults who remained single over an extended period experienced a greater decline in life satisfaction and increasing feelings of loneliness.
These negative feelings became more pronounced as individuals reached their late 20s, which is also when symptoms of depression began to rise. The pattern was consistent across both men and women. Crucially, the study offered a note of hope, finding that wellbeing improved significantly as soon as young people entered their first serious relationship.
'Overall, our findings show that remaining single for a prolonged period in young adulthood is associated with moderate risks to well-being,' Dr. Krämer stated. He added that the differences between long-term singles and those in relationships widened over time, suggesting 'entering a first relationship may become more difficult when people are in their late 20s.'
The research, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, concludes that a combination of lower wellbeing, male gender, higher education, and living alone or with parents are the key predictors of extended singlehood in young adulthood.
