Necessities and luxuries in satisfying single lives

Bibliographic Data

ID2920179
AuthorsY Park (0000-0002-2796-3523, University of Toronto, corresponding author), Geoff Macdonald (0009-0000-4723-9252, University of Toronto)
Year2023
Volume40
Issue3
Pages937-954
Publication date2023-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075221122887
OpenAlexW4308207348
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited28

Despite the growing interest in single (unpartnered) individuals' well-being, there is a lack of descriptive research providing a comprehensive understanding of what singles value in their lives. In this research, we adopted a budget allocation methodology to examine what domains are prioritized in single individuals' construal of a satisfying single life. We recruited two samples of participants, one primarily consisting of singles from Europe and America ( N = 851) and the other from Korea ( N = 1012). Across the two samples, we found that singles gave high priority to being mentally and physically healthy and having good family relationships. Only when those essentials were accounted for did single individuals turn significant attention to other life domains such as having good friendships, available romantic connections, and sexual opportunities. These findings have implications for understanding single individuals' life priorities and well-being and set the groundwork for further research on singlehood

Developmental psychology · Psychoanalysis · Romance · Set (abstract data type · Value (mathematics · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Psychology · Social Psychology

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