Singles vs. Partners: A Personality and Happiness Comparison

Ever wondered how lifelong singles differ from those who have always been in relationships? A recent study used data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to find out. The research looked at over 77, 000 people, mostly over 50 years old, from 27 countries. It turned out that lifelong singles were less outgoing, less reliable, and less open to new experiences. They also reported being less satisfied with their lives. Interestingly, these differences were more pronounced in those who had never been in a relationship at all, compared to those who had never lived with someone or never got married. The results also showed that these effects varied depending on the person's gender, age, and the country's singlehood rate and gender ratio. This study gives us a peek into the lives of lifelong singles and could help us better understand mental health and social support for older individuals.