Marriage and Happiness in College Students: Are Married Students Really Happier?

Annette Dean

Prior research has shown that married subjects tend to have not only higher levels of happiness than their co-habitating, dating, or single cohorts, but also higher levels of subjective well-being, and overall health. This study of college students (N = 205) questions if the same results would be found in students who are married, versus those who are co-habitating, dating, or single. Participants of this study filled out an online survey which assessed general happiness, overall health, and subjective well-being. Results from this study showed a significant difference in happiness and subjective well-being levels between married participants and their dating or single cohorts; there was no significant difference found between married and co-habitating cohorts. Further research to be explored would be to find out if the length of a relationship could have an effect on the happiness and subjective well-being of the groups surveyed.