Being single is often framed as a temporary condition to escape or a social status defined by what is missing. New research suggests that view may overlook an important psychological possibility: singlehood can provide a setting for people to expand their identities, develop new abilities, and build richer lives outside romantic relationships. The study, published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, finds that single people who see their relationship status as an opportunity for growth are more likely to pursue unfamiliar experiences and report greater well-being.
The findings are based on the theory of self-expansion, a psychological framework describing how people broaden their sense of who they are by acquiring new perspectives, skills, roles, and experiences. Researchers have traditionally examined self-expansion in romantic relationships, where partners may introduce each other to new interests, social networks, and ways of thinking. The new study extends that framework to singlehood, suggesting that self-expansion may occur through friendships, family connections, group activities, and even deliberate time spent alone.
“Many single people maintain their singlehood because it makes them feel like they have the autonomy and freedom to focus on personal goals, like hobbies, their career, and travel,” says lead author Elina Moreno, a graduate student at the University of Toronto who conducted the research at Simon Fraser University with Dr. Yuthika Girme. “We wondered whether single people who believe that they are able to gain new experiences because of their singlehood status benefit from this mentality.”
To investigate the question, the researchers asked single participants to assess their perceived potential for self-expansion while living without a romantic partner. This measure captured whether participants viewed singlehood as a period in which they could explore new activities, encounter unfamiliar ideas, and develop aspects of themselves that might otherwise remain unexplored. The researchers then monitored participants’ behavior and psychological outcomes over time, looking for links between their beliefs, their activities, and their overall adjustment.
Participants who believed singlehood offered opportunities for self-expansion were more likely to engage in novel experiences. These included learning new skills, participating in team sports, and dining out with friends. Such activities may promote self-expansion because they expose people to unfamiliar environments and social interactions, requiring them to adapt, make decisions, and incorporate new information into their existing self-concept. In psychological terms, novelty can expand the boundaries of identity by adding new competencies and social roles to the way a person understands themselves.
The same participants also reported less fear of being single and greater satisfaction with their singlehood. They experienced stronger feelings of autonomy, or control over their own choices; competence, or confidence in their ability to manage challenges; and connection to other people. These three experiences are central to psychological theories of well-being because they reflect whether individuals feel self-directed, capable, and socially embedded. The participants also reported greater happiness overall, suggesting that the benefits associated with a growth-oriented view of singlehood may extend beyond relationship satisfaction.
The researchers found that non-romantic close relationships played a major role in these experiences. As many as 82 percent of single participants used relationships with friends or family members as a context for self-expanding activities. A shared trip, a new class, a team sport, or an unfamiliar restaurant can become more psychologically meaningful when experienced with people who encourage exploration. These interactions may provide both the novelty required for personal growth and the emotional security that makes experimentation easier.
At the same time, 18 percent of participants reported engaging in self-expanding activities alone. Solitary experiences can also challenge familiar routines and promote identity development, whether through travel, creative work, independent learning, or simply making choices without having to coordinate with a partner. The distinction is important because it suggests that self-expansion does not depend on romantic intimacy. Growth can emerge through social connection, independent action, or a combination of the two.
The results are especially relevant as an increasing share of adults in the United States live without a spouse or romantic partner. Some single people hope to enter a relationship, while others intentionally remain single to prioritize professional ambitions, personal interests, travel, caregiving, or independence. The study does not argue that singlehood is inherently better than romantic partnership, nor does it establish that optimistic beliefs directly cause greater happiness. Because the research used survey methods and observed associations, it remains possible that people who are already happier are more likely to view singlehood positively and pursue new experiences.
Future research will need to determine how these processes unfold over time. Researchers could test whether encouraging single people to identify meaningful opportunities for exploration leads to measurable changes in behavior and well-being, or whether the relationship mainly reflects pre-existing personality differences. Even with those questions unresolved, the findings challenge the assumption that self-expansion is primarily a benefit of romantic love. For people who are single by choice or circumstance, trying unfamiliar activities, strengthening friendships, and exploring solitude may offer practical routes to a broader sense of self—and a more satisfying life while riding solo.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Riding Solo: The Associations Between Singlehood Self-Expansion Potential, Self-Expansion Experiences, and Singlehood Outcomes
News Publication Date: 6-Aug-2026
Web References: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2021/10/05/rising-share-of-u-s-adults-are-living-without-a-spouse-or-partner/
References: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. DOI: 10.1177/01461672261462978
Keywords: singlehood, self-expansion, psychology, well-being, personal growth, relationships, happiness, autonomy, social connection, behavioral science
