TY - JOUR
T1 - Consequences of relationship status and quality for subjective well-being
AU - Dush, Claire M.Kamp
AU - Amato, Paul R.
PY - 2005/10
Y1 - 2005/10
N2 - This study examined the links among relationship status, relationship happiness, and a latent measure of subjective well-being. Using the study of Marital Instability over the Life Course, we found that married individuals reported the highest level of subjective well-being, followed (in order) by individuals in cohabiting relationships, steady dating relationships, casual dating relationships, and individuals who dated infrequently or not at all. Individuals in happy relationships reported a higher level of subjective well-being than did individuals in unhappy relationships, irrespective of relationship status. Even with relationship happiness controlled, however, relationship status was associated with subjective well-being. A longitudinal analysis suggested that shifting into more committed relationships was followed by improvements in subjective well-being. Little support was found for the assumption that people with a high level of well-being select themselves into more committed relationships.
AB - This study examined the links among relationship status, relationship happiness, and a latent measure of subjective well-being. Using the study of Marital Instability over the Life Course, we found that married individuals reported the highest level of subjective well-being, followed (in order) by individuals in cohabiting relationships, steady dating relationships, casual dating relationships, and individuals who dated infrequently or not at all. Individuals in happy relationships reported a higher level of subjective well-being than did individuals in unhappy relationships, irrespective of relationship status. Even with relationship happiness controlled, however, relationship status was associated with subjective well-being. A longitudinal analysis suggested that shifting into more committed relationships was followed by improvements in subjective well-being. Little support was found for the assumption that people with a high level of well-being select themselves into more committed relationships.
KW - Cohabitation
KW - Dating
KW - Marriage
KW - Relationship happiness
KW - Relationship status
KW - Subjective well-being
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=27644496162&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=27644496162&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0265407505056438
DO - 10.1177/0265407505056438
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:27644496162
SN - 0265-4075
VL - 22
SP - 607
EP - 627
JO - Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
JF - Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
IS - 5
ER -