This is what psychologists from the University of Zurich show in a new study in the specialist journal “European Journal of Personality”.
“We found positive effects on life satisfaction especially in the area of romantic relationships,” said study author Michael Krämer to the Keystone-SDA news agency on Friday.
To do this, the researchers analyzed data from the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), in which over 41,000 adults were surveyed. Finding a new partner, moving in together, getting married, having a child – all of these life events increase life satisfaction, according to the study. However, to varying degrees: A new partner led to an increase in satisfaction in the long term, while the positive effects following a wedding were strongest immediately following the event.
Wedding as a formal step
Krämer explained this by saying that nowadays a wedding is often a more formal step when the relationship is already established. “In previous studies, the positive effect of weddings was often overestimated,” said Krämer. This was the case because studies to date had not taken interactions between different events into account. At a wedding, for example, the increase in life satisfaction through finding a partner beforehand and moving in together still has an effect.
The psychologists were also able to show that the effect of certain events on life satisfaction is often greatest the first time. On average, the birth of a first child increases life satisfaction more than the birth of a second or third child.
“Effect of unemployment relatively small”
In contrast to the events that make you happier, there are also those that are associated with a loss of life satisfaction. The researchers found the strongest effect was when the partner died. The death of a child also led to severe losses in life satisfaction, but according to Krämer there was little data on this point, which is why the information is less precise.
Separation or unemployment also has negative effects. “Surprisingly, the effect of unemployment was relatively small and short-lasting,” said Krämer. This was different in previous studies. According to the psychologist, this might have something to do with the improved economic situation.
