Study Finds Being Single Can be a Great Opportunity for Personal Growth

Marriage has been well-studied and has even been linked with certain mental and physical health benefits. But new research suggests that singlehood comes with its own boon.

In a series of three studies, which included two diary studies followed by an experimental one, researchers examined what they call "singlehood self-expansion potential," or the belief that being single offers opportunities to broaden your sense of self via exposure to new experiences, perspectives and relationships in a way that has previously been associated with being in a partnership.

With this research, "we hoped to deviate from the existing social narrative that romantic relationships are the key to living a fulfilling life and personal growth, and recognize singlehood itself as an opportunity for self-expansion," said Elina Moreno, the study's lead author who conducted the research as a social-personality undergraduate mentee at Simon Fraser University and is now a graduate student at the University of Toronto.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.