The Role of Positive Self-view in Improving the Well-being of the Unmarried

• In Event: 3481 - Section on Social Psychology Refereed Roundtables (cosponsored with Section on Sociology of Emotions)
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 06. Advances in Sociology of Self and Identity

Abstract

The size of the unmarried population has increased dramatically over the last decades. In light of the growth of the unmarried demographic, it is important to identify potential strategies for promoting the wellbeing of singles and the unmarried. This is especially important because never married, divorced, and even widowed individuals face prejudice, stigma, and discrimination that the married do not. This situation requires researchers to investigate the mechanisms that are able to counter these phenomena. Therefore, this paper investigates the role that positive self-perception, optimism, and feelings of accomplishment plays in the happiness of married and unmarried adults. Multilevel regression analyses are conducted on the European Social Survey data combined with the HDI Index. The results indicate that unmarried adults show lower levels of positive self-view. However, and more surprisingly, they gain more from positive self-perception, optimism, and a sense of accomplishment in terms of happiness than married individuals. Further directions in researching this phenomenon are suggested.

Authors

• Elyakim Kislev, The Hebrew University

• Aurel Diamond, Hebrew University