Living without a romantic partner can significantly improve personal development and overall well-being, according to a new study from the University of Toronto.
Researchers discovered that single people who view their relationship status as an opportunity for self-improvement rather than a setback are more likely to try new hobbies, travel, learn new skills and spend time with friends.
Those who adopt this growth-oriented mindset also reported feeling happier overall, enjoying greater independence, experiencing stronger connections with others, and feeling less afraid of staying single.
The study, led by researcher Elina Moreno at the University of Toronto, highlights how singlehood functions as a vital stage of adult life. The University of Toronto, located in Ontario, is Canada's largest higher education institution and a leading research centre. Writing in the peer-reviewed journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, the research team noted that single adults represent a substantial portion of the population.
"Singlehood is a critical stage of personal development and encompasses upwards of 40 per cent of adults, including those who have never partnered or been married, and those re-entering singlehood following breakup or divorce," the researchers wrote. "This research provides novel evidence that singlehood is an important context in which people can expand their sense of self."
Moreno explained that taking proactive steps during period of singlehood can transform how individuals view their lives. "Seizing the opportunity to try new things, meet new people, and develop new hobbies can significantly improve not only the way you feel about being single, but also how you feel about your life in general," she said.
Personal Growth and Going Solo
The investigation examined the experiences of more than 600 single participants to understand how single people navigate their personal lives. It found that 82 per cent of participants relied on close friends and family members to help broaden their horizons and engage in new activities.
At the same time, nearly one in five participants, or roughly 20 per cent, chose to embrace new experiences entirely on their own. The researchers suggested that pursuing solo activities serves as a powerful opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
Moreno pointed out that single people have varying motivations for staying unpartnered. While some single people actively desire a romantic relationship, others choose to remain alone to focus on personal or professional goals.
She emphasized that the findings do not mean single life is inherently better than being in a couple. Instead, the study underscores that being single provides another valuable opportunity for growth.
"If people want to maintain their singlehood, self-expanding experiences could be beneficial for bolstering their well-being over time and providing them with opportunities to get to know themselves," Moreno explained. "Alternatively, if a single person is seeking a romantic relationship, they could still make the most of their singlehood and experience personal growth along the way."
Overall, the researchers argue that the essential factor in psychological well-being is regarding life without a partner as a chance for personal growth, rather than simply waiting for a relationship to begin.
Expanding the Self and Gender Differences
The study authors concluded that their findings broaden the psychological understanding of how adults build their identity outside of romantic partnerships. "This research extends the self-expansion framework by recognizing singlehood as a meaningful outlet for people to expand their sense of self and the world around them," the researchers wrote.
The team added that future studies should focus on how society can better support unpartnered adults. "Understanding how to foster positive beliefs about singlehood as having the potential to engage in personal growth and self-expansion serves to be a fruitful avenue for future research in order to better support the rising numbers of single adults in society," they stated.
The research builds on earlier findings regarding relationship status and psychological well-being. A separate study published last year in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science revealed notable gender differences in how single life is experienced. Social Psychological and Personality Science is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published on behalf of major psychological associations.
That study found that while most single men reported feeling unhappy with their status, single women generally reported being happy with being single. "Overall, single women appear to be higher in their overall well-being compared to men," the researchers wrote in that study.
The authors noted that their data challenges widespread social assumptions about gender and domestic life. "At a broader level, our findings appear to run counter to existing stereotypes regarding women as the uniquely unhappy gender in singlehood," they stated.
The findings arrive at a time when many single adults express frustration with modern dating options. Separate research by relationship experts has warned that dating apps are designed to keep singles swiping and spending money rather than helping them find a romantic partner.
Evaluating On-Off Relationships and When to Break Up
For individuals currently in relationships, relationship experts suggest that staying in an unstable partnership can be damaging to mental health. Kale Monk, an assistant professor of human development and family science at the University of Missouri, warned that cyclical on-off relationships carry significant risks. The University of Missouri, founded in 1839 in Columbia, is a major public research university known for family science research.
Monk explained that relationships that repeatedly break up and reconcile are associated with higher rates of abuse, poorer communication, and lower levels of commitment between partners.
He advised people in these kinds of relationships to make informed decisions about either staying together once and for all or terminating their relationship.
To help partners evaluate whether it is the right time to end a relationship, Monk offered five key guidelines:
- Examine the reasons for past breakups: When considering rekindling a relationship that ended or avoiding future breakups, partners should think about the reasons they broke up to determine if there are consistent or persistent issues impacting the relationship.
- Have explicit conversations about recurring issues: Having explicit conversations about issues that have led to breakups can be helpful, especially if the issues will likely reoccur. If there was ever violence in the relationship, however, or if having a conversation about relationship issues can lead to safety concerns, consider seeking support services when it is safe to do so.
- Evaluate the reasons for reconciliation: Similar to thinking about the reasons the relationship ended, spend time thinking about the reasons why reconciliation might be an option. Is the reason rooted in commitment and positive feelings, or more about obligations and convenience? The latter reasons are more likely to lead down a path of continual distress.
- Recognize that ending a toxic relationship is acceptable: Remember that it is okay to end a toxic relationship. For example, if your relationship is beyond repair, do not feel guilty leaving for your mental or physical well-being.
- Consider relationship check-ups and counselling: Couples therapy or relationship counselling is not just for partners on the brink of divorce. Even happy dating and married couples can benefit from relationship check-ups in order to strengthen the connection between partners and have additional support in approaching relationship transitions.
