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Mon Jan 20 06:36:04 PST 2025

PsyPost – Psychology News Daily Digest (Unofficial)

(https://www.psypost.org/new-research-reveals-personality-and-life-satisfaction-differences-between-lifelong-singles-and-partnered-individuals/) New research reveals personality and life satisfaction differences between lifelong singles and partnered individuals
Jan 19th 2025, 14:00

In a study published in (https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976241286865) Psychological Science, researchers uncovered differences in personality traits and life satisfaction between lifelong singles and those who have been in romantic relationships. Lifelong singles reported lower levels of extraversion, conscientiousness, and life satisfaction compared to ever-partnered individuals. These differences were especially pronounced in older adults, a group that may face additional challenges related to health and economic stability. The study highlights the importance of supportive social networks tailored to the needs of lifelong singles, particularly in later life.
Marriage or long-term relationships are often seen as the societal norm, but a growing number of people remain single throughout their lives. This shift has raised questions about how lifelong singlehood affects well-being and personality, especially as people age and become more reliant on social and economic support. The researchers aimed to explore how personality traits and life satisfaction differ between lifelong singles and ever-partnered individuals, with the goal of identifying potential challenges and opportunities for this population.
“I got interested while working on (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/08902070231213797) a different project, in which we studied people who were single and then re-contacted them 13 years later to investigate whether their partner preferences (traits they value in a romantic partner) predict with whom they enter a relationship and their relationship quality,” said study author (https://www.uni-bremen.de/pppd/team/dr-julia-stern) Julia Stern, a senior researcher at the University of Bremen.
“We detected that quite a large number of people did not enter any relationship across these 13 years and that they differed in their personality from people in relationships. The field of personality and romantic relationships is quite established, but I wondered that we’re almost never interested in the people who stay single. This has changed in the last year and research on singles is increasing. What was missing so far was research on people who stay single their entire lives.”

The research team analyzed data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), a large-scale panel study involving over 77,000 participants from 27 European countries and Israel. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 105, with an average age of 68. The researchers used three criteria to define lifelong singlehood: never having been married, never cohabitating with a partner, or never having been in a serious long-term relationship. Those who met any of these criteria were classified as lifelong singles, while the rest were categorized as ever-partnered.
Personality traits were assessed using a brief version of the Big Five Inventory, which measures extraversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness to experience. Life satisfaction was evaluated with a single-item measure asking participants to rate their overall satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10. The researchers also collected data on demographic factors, income, education, and cultural variables such as national religiosity and gender ratios.
To ensure the robustness of their findings, the researchers conducted specification-curve analyses, a statistical method that tests multiple model specifications to account for potential confounding variables. They also examined how individual and country-level factors moderated the relationship between singlehood, personality, and life satisfaction.
The results showed that lifelong singles consistently reported lower levels of extraversion and conscientiousness compared to ever-partnered individuals. These differences were more pronounced among those who had never been in a long-term relationship or cohabitated with a partner. Lifelong singles also reported lower life satisfaction, with the gap being larger when singlehood was defined as never having been partnered.
Interestingly, neuroticism did not differ significantly between the two groups. “I was surprised that there were no average differences in neuroticism, as previous research suggested differences in neuroticism between current singles and currently partnered people,” Stern said.
Agreeableness also showed no significant differences, although exploratory analyses suggested that never-married individuals might be less agreeable than those who had been married. Lifelong singles were found to have slightly lower openness to experience, but this result varied depending on the specific definition of singlehood.
“There are, on average, small differences in life satisfaction, extraversion, and conscientiousness between lifelong singles and ever-partnered individuals,” Stern told PsyPost. “However, these results might not be transferable to an individual person, as there are many different circumstances affecting these differences (e.g., gender, age, and the normativity of being in a relationship).”
The study also revealed important moderating factors. For instance, the personality and life satisfaction gaps between singles and partnered individuals were smaller among older participants and women. Higher income was associated with smaller differences in conscientiousness, suggesting that financial stability may buffer some of the challenges faced by lifelong singles. At the country level, the proportion of single individuals and gender ratios influenced the findings, with larger personality and life satisfaction gaps observed in countries with higher proportions of men or singles.
Despite its strengths, the study had some limitations. Its cross-sectional design prevented the researchers from determining whether the observed differences were caused by singlehood or pre-existing personality traits that influenced relationship status. Additionally, the brief measure of personality traits used in the study may not have captured the full complexity of these characteristics.
“We do not know why these differences occur and how long they last,” Stern said. “It might be selection effects (i.e., people with a particular personality are more likely to enter a relationship or stay single), socialization effects (i.e., being in a relationship changes your personality in a specific direction), or anything else (e.g., experiencing specific life events that differ between groups change your personality, such as divorce or separation; any other variables such as health or social support may differ between the groups and lead to changes in personality, etc).
“Another caveat is that we only compared lifelong singles to ever-partnered individuals and didn’t compare them to, for example, current singles. A within-group perspective on singles would help us better understand their individual experiences.”
Future research could adopt a longitudinal approach to explore how personality and well-being evolve over time in lifelong singles. Understanding the specific experiences and challenges of this group could inform the development of targeted interventions to promote their well-being. Researchers could also examine younger cohorts to see if changing cultural norms around relationships and marriage influence these dynamics.
“My long-term goal is understanding why these differences between the groups occur (i.e. overcome the caveats) and what specific circumstances make (lifelong) singles thrive,” Stern said. “As a next step, we need to follow different groups people over multiple years to display their development and unique experiences.”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976241286865) Differences Between Lifelong Singles and Ever-Partnered Individuals in Big Five Personality Traits and Life Satisfaction,” was authored by Julia Stern, Michael D. Krämer, Alexander Schumacher, Geoff MacDonald, and David Richter.

(https://www.psypost.org/physically-inactive-children-have-higher-rates-of-depression-and-anxiety-study-finds/) Physically inactive children have higher rates of depression and anxiety, study finds
Jan 19th 2025, 12:00

An analysis of data from the National Survey of Children’s Health has found that physically inactive children exhibit higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their physically active peers. This trend was especially pronounced in children with autism and ADHD, who had significantly higher prevalence rates of these disorders than their healthy peers, regardless of physical activity levels. The research was published in the (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06117-0) Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are among the most common developmental disorders. Of the two, ADHD is more prevalent, affecting approximately 5–7% of children globally, while autism affects 1–2%.
ASD is a developmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors, often accompanied by unique strengths and differences in sensory processing or learning styles. ADHD, in contrast, is marked by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning and development.
School-age children with these conditions also experience higher rates of other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. A recent analysis showed that youth aged 12 to 17 with autism or ADHD are up to ten times more likely to experience anxiety and depression than their peers without these disorders.
Study author Amy L. Accardo and her colleagues sought to investigate whether physical activity is associated with the frequency of anxiety and depression among youth with autism or ADHD. They focused on children aged 12 to 17, as prior research indicates that mental health disorders often emerge during this developmental stage.
The researchers analyzed data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a large-scale survey that is nationally representative of children in the United States from birth to age 17. The survey, conducted annually by the Census Bureau and sponsored by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), provided data collected between 2016 and 2020. The dataset included responses from 71,973 children, as provided by their adult household members.
The researchers examined data on autism and ADHD diagnoses (e.g., “Has a doctor or other health care provider EVER told you that this child has Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, that is ADD or ADHD?” and similar for autism), physical activity levels (e.g., “During the past week, on how many days did this child exercise, play a sport, or participate in physical activity for at least 60 minutes?”), and anxiety and depression diagnoses (e.g., “Has a doctor or other health care provider EVER told you that this child has Anxiety Problems?” and similar for depression).
The results revealed that children with anxiety engaged in less physical activity, regardless of whether they had autism or ADHD. Approximately 69% of physically inactive children with autism (0 days of physical activity per week) experienced anxiety, compared to 55% of those who engaged in physical activity at least one day per week.
Similarly, 42% of physically inactive children with ADHD experienced anxiety, compared to 40% of those who engaged in physical activity 1–3 days per week, and 32% of those who were active 4–7 days per week. Among healthy children, 16% of those with no physical activity experienced anxiety, compared to 10% of those active 1–3 days per week, and 7% of those active 4–7 days per week.
Greater physical activity was also linked to lower rates of depression. Among children with autism, 39% of those who were physically inactive experienced depression, compared to 29% of those active 1–3 days per week, and 23% of those active 4–7 days per week. Similar trends were observed in children with ADHD, although the rates were slightly lower. For healthy children, 12% of those who were physically inactive experienced depression, compared to 6% of those active 1–3 days per week, and 4% of those active 4–7 days per week.
“Findings showed that physical activity was associated with significantly lower reported diagnoses of anxiety or depression among autistic youth, youth with ADHD, and non-autistic non-ADHD youth. Findings highlight a need to determine the cause-and-effect relationships among physical activity, anxiety, and depression across groups and to prioritize mental health screenings and support for autistic youth and youth with ADHD,” the study authors concluded.
While the study highlights potential links between physical activity and mental health, its design does not allow for causal inferences. Although physical activity may reduce the likelihood of anxiety and depression, it is equally plausible that anxiety and depression limit children’s opportunities and motivation to engage in physical activity. Additional factors that might explain these associations remain to be explored.
The paper, “(https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06117-0) Greater Physical Activity is Associated with Lower Rates of Anxiety and Depression Among Autistic and ADHD Youth: National Survey of Children’s Health 2016–2020,” was authored by Amy L. Accardo, Nancy M. H. Pontes, and Manuel C. F. Pontes.

(https://www.psypost.org/fox-news-exposure-linked-to-republican-gains-in-elections-over-two-decades/) Fox News exposure linked to Republican gains in elections over two decades
Jan 19th 2025, 10:00

A recent study published in the (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105256) Journal of Public Economics provides evidence that Fox News Channel has had a profound influence on American political preferences and election outcomes from 2000 to 2020. The research demonstrates that increased Fox News viewership has pushed Americans’ ideological preferences rightward and contributed to a measurable increase in Republican vote shares across multiple levels of government.
Fox News, launched in 1996, has become one of the most influential and widely viewed cable news networks in the United States. Known for its conservative slant, Fox News has consistently dominated television ratings, drawing millions of viewers daily. Its programming blends news coverage with opinion-driven commentary, often framing stories in ways that align with conservative political and social values.
Over the years, the network has cultivated a loyal audience while also attracting criticism for its role in polarizing public discourse. Its influence on American politics and public opinion, especially given its significant audience reach, has become a focal point for researchers exploring the relationship between media consumption and political behavior.
While earlier research suggested that Fox News influenced presidential elections and shifted viewers’ policy preferences, questions remained about its impact on other levels of government and whether its influence had grown or diminished over time. Additionally, much of the existing work focused on specific moments in time, leaving gaps in understanding the network’s long-term effects on American political dynamics.
To assess the impact of Fox News on American political preferences and election outcomes, the researchers employed an innovative approach that leveraged Fox News’ channel position as a natural experiment. Channel positions, determined by local cable providers for historical and arbitrary reasons, affect how likely viewers are to watch a channel. Lower channel numbers, being more accessible, lead to higher viewership. By using channel position as an instrumental variable, the researchers could isolate Fox News’ influence from other factors that might affect political behavior, such as pre-existing local political preferences.
The study incorporated data spanning two decades (2000–2020) and included multiple sources. Nielsen ratings provided information on Fox News viewership at the county level, while political attitudes were measured using survey responses from over 661,000 Americans through large-scale studies like the National Annenberg Election Survey and the Cooperative Congressional Election Study. Additionally, election outcomes for presidential, Senate, House, and gubernatorial races were drawn from comprehensive datasets on county-level vote shares.
The researchers found that Fox News had a significant and sustained impact on American political preferences and elections. Counties with greater exposure to Fox News due to lower channel positioning experienced a noticeable rightward shift in political ideology. This shift was reflected in survey respondents identifying more frequently as Republicans and adopting more conservative policy preferences. Over the two-decade span, Fox News’ influence on political identity and ideology grew stronger, particularly during the 2010s.
The analysis also demonstrated that this ideological shift translated into measurable electoral gains for Republican candidates. In presidential elections, increased Fox News viewership was associated with a 0.5 to 0.6 percentage-point boost in Republican vote shares in recent cycles, including the closely contested elections of 2016 and 2020. These margins were particularly significant in battleground states where small shifts in vote shares could influence the outcome of the entire election.
The impact of Fox News extended beyond presidential races to down-ballot elections. Republican candidates for Senate, House, and gubernatorial races benefited from a similar increase in vote shares, with gains ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 percentage points depending on the office and election year. These effects were most pronounced in recent years, highlighting the growing influence of national media on state and local elections. The findings underscore how Fox News has contributed to the nationalization of American politics, where voter behavior is increasingly shaped by partisan media rather than localized issues.
“This paper has provided the most comprehensive, holistic evaluation to-date of Fox New Channel’s impacts on the American political system,” the researchers concluded. “We have shown that FNC has a had a large and growing impact on American politics over the past two decades. It has shifted the political preferences of Americans — increasing the share of Republicans in each county and pushing their ideological preferences to the right.”
The substantial effect of a one-standard-deviation shift in Fox News’ channel position, equivalent to 22 additional minutes of monthly viewership, surpasses the impact of changes in local wages or political advertising exposure. “Given the estimated effect sizes on presidential elections, for example, Fox News could have easily tipped the scales for Donald Trump in 2016,” the researchers continued.
The study adds to the growing body of research highlighting the significant impact of partisan media on elections and political behavior both in the United States and globally. The findings suggest Fox News has shaped party affiliation and ideology, contributing to a Republican advantage in elections and policymaking, while leaving opportunities for further research into its broader effects.
“For instance, future work could examine FNC’s effects in local elections, as well as on local policy outcomes,” the researchers wrote. “It would also be useful to examine heterogeneity in FNC’s effects on different types of voters. For instance, does FNC primarily influence Republican-leaning voters? Or perhaps FNC mainly influences older voters?”
The study, “(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105256) From viewers to voters: Tracing Fox News’ impact on American democracy,” was authored by Elliott Ash, Sergio Galletta, Matteo Pinna, and Christopher S. Warshaw.

Forwarded by:
Michael Reeder LCPC
Baltimore, MD

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