This research estimates the extent to which life satisfaction of singles is influenced by their desire to be single. Regression analyses on data from the Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (pairfam) studies are used to investigate this question, paying particular attention to longitudinal differences between never-married and divorced/separated men and women. Panel data analyses between different waves of the pairfam data indicate that decreases in desires for a relationship are significantly associated with greater life satisfaction. These patterns hold for all but one of the demographic groups investigated (divorced/separated men). The results are used to suggest how many singles may be able to maintain high levels of life satisfaction in the face of social stigmata.

这项研究估计了单身者的生活满意度受单身者的渴望影响的程度。对“亲密关系和家庭动力学面板分析”（pairfam）研究数据的回归分析用于调查此问题，尤其要注意未婚和离婚/分居的男女之间的纵向差异。对伴侣数据的不同波动之间的面板数据分析表明，对恋爱关系的减少与更高的生活满意度显着相关。这些模式适用于除了一个调查的人口群体（离婚/分居的男人）以外的所有人口群体。该结果用于说明面对社会耻辱感时，有多少单身人士可能能够维持高水平的生活满意度。