If you were asked to imagine a lifelong singleton, a ‘crazy cat lady’ might spring to mind.
But a new study suggests that there are actually three key personality traits that give away whether or not someone will stay single for life.
Researchers from the University of Bremen compared single people and those in relationships on life satisfaction ratings and the ‘Big Five’ personality traits.
The results revealed that singletons were less extraverted, less conscientious, and less open to experiences than people who were married or in relationships.
Lifelong singletons also had lower scores on life satisfaction.
‘There are differences between people who stay single their entire lives and people who get partnered,’ said Julia Stern, one of the authors of the study.
‘We have to take extra care of these people. If they have people who care for them or look out for them regularly, this might help.’
A new study suggests that there are three key personality traits that give away whether or not someone will stay single for life (stock image)
Singletons are less extraverted, less conscientious, and less open to experiences than people who were married or in relationships
Several previous studies have looked at the impacts of being single.
However, the definitions of singlehood varied hugely – with many studies only considering participants’ current status, rather than their previous relationship history.
To address this issue, the team enlisted more than 77,000 people over the age of 50, who were split into five groups.
These were: currently partnered, never living with a partner, never married, or never being in any long-term relationship.
The participants completed surveys on their life satisfaction, as well as their Big Five personality traits – openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
The results revealed that people who had never been in a serious long-term relationship scored lower on extraversion, openness, and life satisfaction than those who were currently single but had lived with a partner or been married in the past.
The researchers also found key differences across cultures, genders and ages.
In countries with higher marriage rates, singlehood resulted in even lower life satisfaction scores.
Meanwhile, single women scored higher on life satisfaction than single men, while older people tended to be happier with their single status than middle-aged singles.
The researchers can’t definitely say whether personality differences are due to selection (people with certain personality types may be more likely to start relationships), or socialisation (long-term relationships could change personalities).
However, they say the evidence points to selection.
‘It’s more likely you have these selection effects: For example, people who are more extraverted are more likely to enter a relationship,’ Ms Stern added.
