Singlehood Mindset Linked to Higher Daily Well-Being in University Samples

Researchers examined whether believing that singlehood offers opportunities for personal growth—termed “singlehood self-expansion potential”—correlates with better psychological health. Across three studies, participants who held a strong growth mindset reported higher life satisfaction, greater fulfillment of autonomy, competence and relatedness needs, and lower anxiety about being single on the same day they engaged in novel activities. The effect was momentary; the specific activities did not predict well-being the following day, but a baseline optimism about singlehood predicted reduced fear and higher satisfaction on the next day.

Psypost

• Daily diary study: 130 single university students (mean age 22.7) completed a baseline survey and then reported daily life satisfaction, fear of being single, and need fulfillment for 14 days. A subset of 58 tracked novel activities.

Psypost

• Weekly diary study: 146 single students (mean age 20) recorded weekly growth experiences over six weeks. Physical exercise or sports comprised ~20 % of reported activities; socializing and large celebrations each accounted for ~15 %. Participants completed 83 % of novel activities with friends or family, while 18 % were done alone.

Psypost

• Experimental study: 324 single adults (mean age 38) were randomly assigned to write about routine versus novel future activities. The novel-activity condition produced a modest increase in positive mood (Cohen’s d = 0.26).

Psypost

All three studies were conducted by Elina Moreno (doctoral student, University of Toronto) with co-authors Yuthika Girme, Anastasiia Burik, and Sarah Stanton.

Psypost

The authors suggest that an optimistic view of singlehood functions like a stable personality trait that encourages engagement in self-expanding experiences, which in turn boosts momentary happiness. They caution that the correlational nature of the diary studies cannot establish causality; happier individuals may simply be more inclined to see singlehood positively. The experimental manipulation showed only a small mood lift, indicating that deeper interventions may be needed to shift underlying beliefs. The researchers also note that the first two studies relied on college students, a group naturally exposed to novelty, and call for future work with older adults and diverse life stages.

Psypost

• “People are increasingly delaying their initiation of romantic relationships and choosing to remain single instead, and we know surprisingly little about how people experience singlehood,” — Elina Moreno, a doctoral student at the University of Toronto

Psypost

• “Every person experiences singlehood at some point in their life, and despite popular societal belief that romantic relationships are the key to a successful and happy life, single people can lead fulfilling lives without a partner,” — Elina Moreno, a doctoral student at the University of Toronto

Psypost

• “One surprising finding was that the majority of single participants reported completing their self-expanding experiences with another person, often family or friends,” — Elina Moreno, a doctoral student at the University of Toronto

Psypost

• “Our research identifies potential strategies for single people to strengthen their well-being and to enjoy being single more,” — Elina Moreno, a doctoral student at the University of Toronto

Psypost