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Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
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Consequences of relationship status and quality for subjective well-being

Claire M. Kamp Dush

Cornell University, cmk54{at}cornell.edu

Paul R. Amato

The Pennsylvania State University

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.

Key Words: cohabitation • dating • marriage • relationship happiness • relationship status • subjective well-being

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 22, No. 5, 607-627 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407505056438
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