A recent study found that, single people have richer social lives and more psychological growth than those who are married or in relationship, as the individuals who are not in a relationship have a heightened sense of self- determination.

Bella DePaulo from University of California, Santa Barbara in the US who conducted the study based on earlier studies, said that, "The preoccupation with the perils of loneliness can obscure the profound benefits of solitude."

According to DePaulo, a study of lifelong single people showed that self- sufficiency serves them well, the more self-sufficient they were, the less likely they were to experience negative emotions. For married people, the opposite was true.

"It is time for a more accurate portrayal of single people and single life one that recognizes the real strengths and resilience of people who are single, and what makes their lives so meaningful.”

"For example, research comparing people who stayed single with those who stayed married showed that single people have a heightened sense of self-determination and they are more likely to experience a sense of continued growth and development as a person," she said.

Adding to this, she said that, when people marry, they become insular. According to the previous studies, single people value meaningful work more than married people, and are also more connected to parents, siblings, friends, neighbors and coworkers.

"Considering all of the financial and cultural advantages people get just because they are married, it becomes even more striking that single people are doing as well as they are," she said.

Also Read: Few Signs of true friendship

Nandini