What makes married people happier? Researchers at the National Bureau of Economic Research analyzed data from the British Household Panel Survey and Gallup polls to find out. Their key finding: Married individuals report greater happiness than singles—and not just during the honeymoon phase.
The secret lies in companionship. Study co-author Shawn Grover notes that well-being often dips around age 40 due to stresses like child-rearing or career pressures. For married couples, however, mutual support makes these challenges more manageable. Partners confide, advise, and encourage each other, fostering resilience.
It's this deep camaraderie—not passion or romance alone—that drives marital fulfillment, the researchers conclude. Couples who view each other as best friends are twice as satisfied as others.
Takeaway: Build your marriage on a foundation of true friendship for enduring happiness.
