Married People Are Happier

News
By published

Marriage can be rough, but it seems to be better than the alternative. A new study finds that married people aren’t happier than when they were single, but over time, and all things considered, married people are happier than those who are not married.

"Our study suggests that people on average are happier than they would have been if they didn't get married," said Michigan State University researcher Stevie C.Y. Yap.

The study,  involving data on thousands of participants in a long-running, national British survey, was announced today and is published online in the Journal of Research in Personality.

Other research has found the following situations contribute to happiness: being old, male and Republican, being religious, and having kids.

Marriage is of course not all bliss. In fact, another study found that if your spouse bothers you now, look out: it will likely get worse over time. Further research would be needed to determine the extent of happiness within a bad marriage.

Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
For the science geek in everyone, Live Science offers a fascinating window into the natural and technological world, delivering comprehensive and compelling news and analysis on everything from dinosaur discoveries, archaeological finds and amazing animals to health, innovation and wearable technology. We aim to empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to understand the world and appreciate its everyday awe.