A groundbreaking new study reveals that for single adults, the secret to a satisfying life lies not in the number of friends they have, but in the quality and flexibility of their friendships. The research, published in the academic journal Personal Relationships, challenges longstanding stereotypes about singlehood and shows that single people who feel satisfied with their friendships and can adapt their social connections enjoy greater emotional well-being than those who simply have large friendship circles or communicate frequently with friends.
This finding matters to Thai society, where both collective traditions and urbanization have led to evolving forms of social connection. As singlehood rates rise in Thailand, particularly among urban millennials and Gen Z, understanding what underpins happiness and fulfillment for single individuals becomes ever more relevant. The societal narrative often places romantic relationships as synonymous with happiness; singlehood is sometimes stigmatized as a lonely or incomplete phase. However, this perspective overlooks the diversity and richness of single people’s lives—a reality supported by the latest research.
The study, conducted by a team of communication and social relationship experts from Michigan State University, Colorado State University, and the University of Kansas, surveyed two nationally representative groups of single adults in the United States, with 552 respondents in 2022 and 391 in 2023. All participants were 18 or older and single—not involved in any romantic relationship at the time of the study. The participants completed detailed surveys measuring various aspects of their friendships: satisfaction, support, communication habits, and adaptability in maintaining or growing social networks.
One of the study’s central findings is that single adults who are generally satisfied with their friendships report lower loneliness, feel more accompanied, and express higher life satisfaction overall. Importantly, the perceived ability to maintain, adapt, or expand friendship networks—what the researchers call “network adaptability”—proved just as crucial as raw network size. Those who struggled to maintain or form new friendships, experiencing “network inadaptability,” suffered more loneliness and reported lower life satisfaction.
Another key insight: losing friends over the preceding year was associated with greater loneliness, highlighting the pain of social disconnection. However, simply having more friends or belonging to a tightly knit friendship group did not guarantee greater satisfaction or well-being. The researchers note, “Being a happy single person isn’t just about having many friends or staying in a close-knit circle…what matters more is having an adaptive and satisfying friendship network: being able to maintain old friendships and form new ones as desired, and feeling content with the friends one has.” (psypost.org).
Support from friends—the sense that friends could be counted on when needed—was strongly linked to feelings of companionship, but its effect on life satisfaction and loneliness was comparatively weaker and more inconsistent. Surprisingly, the frequency of communication—such as face-to-face meetings, routine check-ins, or even the proportion of time spent socializing—was less relevant to emotional health than expected. Some signs emerged that more frequent online communication could boost life satisfaction, but this pattern was not consistent across both years studied.
Expert perspectives place these findings within a wider cultural and psychological context. The researchers point out that while headlines often frame singlehood as a transitional or unfulfilling state, “romantic partners are not the only source of intimacy and support.” This view echoes the work of noted social psychologist Dr. Bella DePaulo, who argues in “Single at Heart” that friends are a vital, often overlooked, source of happiness for single adults. The team urges policymakers and the public to shift away from comparing singles to married people as if relationships are the ultimate benchmark for happiness. Instead, more attention should be paid to what enables singles to thrive, whatever their circumstances or choices.
The study’s findings have clear implications for Thailand, where the proportion of single adult households is gradually increasing, especially in Bangkok and major provinces (Bangkok Post). Many Thai singles may relate to the pressure from traditional family structures or cultural expectations to find a romantic partner. Yet, as digital social lives grow and economic realities change, friendships are becoming a crucial support system. The study suggests that Thai singles can foster greater well-being by focusing not on expanding their social circles indiscriminately, but on nurturing mutually satisfying and flexible friendships. This may resonate with the practice of “phuen” (เพื่อน), the Thai term for friend, which connotes loyalty, ongoing support, and emotional closeness—not just superficial contact.
Taking a historical perspective, the role of friendship in Thai culture has always been significant, whether among school peers, religious communities, or workplace colleagues. While traditional values emphasized family and marital ties, contemporary Thai youth are increasingly turning to friends as their main source of emotional support, especially amid changing attitudes around marriage and urban migration. The findings from the US-based study provide a science-backed foundation for what many young Thais may already intuitively feel—that real happiness as a single person stems from close-knit, evolving friendships rather than societal conformity.
Looking to the future, this research points to several trends. As Thailand and similar societies confront aging populations, rising rates of singlehood, and increased urban isolation, fostering friendship adaptability may become a central public health priority. Community-building programs, social clubs, and digital friendship platforms could play a larger role in helping singles build meaningful, supportive connections. Thai mental health professionals might consider advocating for “friendship literacy” in university settings or community centers, giving people skills to adapt old friendships and forge new ones amid life’s transitions.
The researchers acknowledge certain limitations: their cross-sectional data cannot prove whether better friendships cause greater life satisfaction or vice versa, only that they are closely linked. Ongoing longitudinal studies will be needed to untangle these complex relationships over time. Additionally, future research could investigate what kinds of interactions and support—emotional, informational, or practical—are most beneficial for single adults, including in different cultural settings like Thailand.
For Thai singles, policymakers, and mental health professionals, the takeaway is clear: happiness and fulfillment do not hinge on relationship status or the size of one’s social circle. Instead, nurturing a handful of adaptable, supportive, and satisfying friendships can serve as a key pillar of well-being. As social norms evolve and singlehood becomes an increasingly accepted—and celebrated—choice in Thai society, fostering high-quality friendships should be encouraged across all ages and backgrounds.
To put this into action, Thai readers are encouraged to reflect on their own friendships: Are these relationships mutually supportive? Do they leave room for growth and change as life evolves? Rather than chasing more friends or perfect routines, focusing on adaptability, emotional closeness, and satisfaction can lead to deeper happiness. Community leaders, teachers, and local governments can play a role by creating more inclusive spaces where singles feel welcome and can naturally nurture these invaluable connections.
For readers eager to learn more, the full study can be found at psypost.org and in the journal Personal Relationships.