Being single for long may be unhealthy

People who have been single all their lives might have low life satisfaction, suggests a new study

People who have been single all their lives might score low on life satisfaction and possess personality traits different from those partnered, such as being less extraverted, less conscientious and less open to new experiences, according to a new research.

Researchers, including those at the University of Bremen, Germany, surveyed over 77,000 people aged 50 years or above across 27 European countries. The study is the first of its kind to look across cultures and at people who have been single their entire lives, the researchers said.

The team found that people who had never been in a serious long-term relationship scored lower on extraversion, openness and life satisfaction as compared to those currently single but having lived with a partner or been married in the past.