Empowering, Pragmatic, or Disappointing: Appraisals of Singlehood During Emerging and Established Adulthood

Abstract

Although singlehood is common during emerging and established adulthood, it is often positioned as less desirable than being partnered. Using data from 168 single emerging (18-29 years-old) and established (30-35 years-old) adults from the United States, we explored how they appraised being single (i.e., viewing singlehood as empowering, allowing for personal goals, and/or being disappointing) and explored how demographic, romantic, and well-being indicators were associated with singlehood appraisals. Emerging and established adults did not differ in how they appraised singlehood. Overall, 42.9% felt it was true/very true that being single was empowering, 75.0% felt it was true/very true that being single facilitated personal goals and interests, and 37.5% felt it was true/very true that were disappointed to be single. Flourishing, intentional singlehood, length of singlehood, relationship interest, education, employment, and race/ethnicity were associated with singlehood appraisals.