Khaberni - Young people are increasingly opting for a single lifestyle that is associated with independence and personal self-determination, but this choice may have long-term implications for mental health.
The study conducted by the University of Zurich found that individuals who remain single for long periods experience greater decreases in life satisfaction and increases in loneliness and depression, especially in their late twenties.
Currently, singleness is often portrayed in the media as a personal choice reflecting an individual's desire for independence and self-fulfillment. Terms such as "self-sufficiency," "living alone," and "singleness as a lifestyle" are promoted in public discourse. This coincides with a noticeable trend among many young people choosing not to commit to formal romantic relationships.
In the recent study, the University of Zurich team tried to analyze the impact of prolonged singleness on the psychological well-being of young people. The study was based on data from more than 17,000 young men and women in Germany and the United Kingdom, none of whom had entered into a romantic relationship when the study began, and they were followed through annual surveys from ages 16 to 29.
The results showed that males and those with higher education levels, as well as individuals who reported a lower level of well-being initially, were more likely to stay single for longer periods. Living conditions also affected this, as the likelihood of prolonged singleness increased among those living alone or with their parents.
When tracking changes in feelings and psychological state, the researchers found that young people who remained single for extended periods experienced a more severe decline in life satisfaction and an increase in feelings of loneliness over time. This gap became more apparent in the age stage between the late twenties, a period also marked by increasing symptoms of depression. These general trends were similar among both men and women.
Among the positive results, entering into a first romantic relationship had a clear positive effect. Young people saw improvements in life satisfaction and a decrease in feelings of loneliness after starting the relationship, and this improvement continued over the long term. However, a similar effect was not observed on symptoms of depression.
The researchers concluded that staying single for long periods during youth may be associated with some moderate risks to psychological well-being. They also indicate that the wellbeing gap between those who enter a relationship and those who remain single widens over time, which may make starting a first relationship more difficult as one gets older, especially as the lower level of well-being itself may reduce the chances of forming new relationships.
