Table 1.
Characteristics and main findings of the included studies.
| Reference | N | Age Range/School Level, Mean Age (SD) | Well-Being Measures | Main Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [47] | 81,247 | 9th–12th grades, NR (NR) | Mood, stress, sadness, worry, hopelessness, and life satisfaction. | Date violence and rape are associated with higher rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts, and lower scores of well-being. |
| [61] Study 4 | 119 | NR, 21 (NR) | Level of happiness. | Explicit expressions of commitment were positively related with happiness. |
| [61] Study 5 | 73 | 18–57, 28 (NR) | Positive emotion. | |
| [44] | 553 | 20–30, 23.42 (3.27) | Happiness, interest in life, life satisfaction, positive affect; autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships, purpose in life, self-acceptance (Ryff’s model of psychological well-being); social acceptance, social actualization, social contribution, social coherence and social integration (Keyes’ model of social well-being). | Single individuals reported lower well-being than partnered individuals. |
| [62] | 151 | 20–26, 22.48 (2.01) | Happiness, interest in life, life satisfaction, positive affect; autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships, purpose in life, self-acceptance (Ryff’s model of psychological well-being); social acceptance, social actualization, social contribution, social coherence and social integration (Keyes’ model of social well-being). | Voluntarily and involuntarily single young adults differed neither regarding well-being. |
| [63] Step 2 | 185 | 20–32, 22.59 (3.23) | Happiness, interest in life and life satisfaction, positive affect; autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships, purpose in life, self-acceptance (Ryff’s model of psychological well-being); social acceptance, social actualization, social contribution, social coherence and social integration (Keyes’ model of social well-being). | Relationship status satisfaction was found to be a good predictor of life satisfaction and well-being. |
| [64] | 67 couples | 19–56, 25.16 (6.33) | Daily relationship satisfaction and daily relationship connection. | Gratitude from interactions predicted increases in relationship connection and satisfaction. |
| [65] | 53 couples | 23–53, 29 (NR) | Life satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. | Partner responsiveness to gratitude expressions was related with greater well-being. |
| [66] Study 2 | 77 couples | Males: NR, 19.90 (2.31) Females: NR, 19.30 (1.20) |
Life satisfaction. | As efficacy expectations shared between partners increased, the degree of their life satisfaction also increased. |
| [67] | 63 couples | NR, 21.60 (2.79) | Happiness toward the relationship, closeness and intimacy. | Relationship identification predicted association between partner transgressions and well-being. |
| [68] | 309 | 16–24, NR (NR) | Life satisfaction, positive/negative affect, optimism and self-esteem. | Minority stress components were negatively related to well-being, however, the impact of “expected rejection” on well-being was buffered for those involved in a romantic relationship. |
| [69] Study 1 | 76 | NR, 22.43 (5.11) | Sadness. | Relationship maintenance behaviors were negatively associated with sadness when intimates subsequently reported high relationship satisfaction, but positively associated when intimates subsequently reported low relationship satisfaction. |
| [69] Study 3 | 135 | NR, 26.90 (4.57) | Depressive mood. | Tendency to compromise during problem-solving was associated with less depressive mood among people who subsequently were more satisfied with their relationship. |
| [70] | 139 | 17–51, 28.4 (6.9) | Mood, capacity to enjoy and relax, and capacity for social contact. | Implicit attitudes towards partners correlated significantly with explicit attitudes, secure attachment, and well-being. |
| [71] Study 1 | 89 | 18–23, 19.3 (NR) | Relationship satisfaction. | Higher trait mindfulness predicted higher relationship satisfaction and greater capacities to respond constructively to relationship stress. |
| [71] Study 2 | 60 couples | 18–25, 20.05 (NR) | Relationship satisfaction. | Trait mindfulness was found to predict lower emotional stress responses and positive pre- and post-conflict change in perception of the relationship. |
| [72] | 350 | 15–19, 17 (1.27) | Self-esteem, internalized homophobia, depression, and anxiety. | Involvement in same-sex relationships was associated with self-esteem and internalized homophobia, where the timing and sequence of both had different effects on males and females. |
| [73] | 52 | Males: NR, 22.29 (3.13) Females: NR, 21.29 (2.40) |
Relationship satisfaction. | Couples who reminisced about events involving shared laugher reported higher relationship satisfaction. |
| [74] | 1584 | 18–25, 20.19 (NR) | Mental health problems, physical health problems, and overweight/obesity. | Individuals in committed relationships experienced fewer mental health problems and were less likely to be overweight/obese. |
| [75] Study 1 | 77 | 18–39, 20 (3.19) | Positive and negative affect. | People who were single for a shorter period of time were more likely to report higher levels of well-being. |
| [75] Study 2 | 236 | 18–49, 21.71 (5.63) | Positive and negative affect. | People who started a new relationship quickly had higher well-being compared to those who waited longer to begin their subsequent relationship. |
| [76] | 62 couples | NR, 19.47 (1.53) | Autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships, purpose in life, self-acceptance (Ryff’s model of psychological well-being); life satisfaction and affect-balance. | Authenticity was related to engaging in healthy relationship behaviors, which in turn predicted positive relationship outcomes and greater well-being. |
| [77] Study 1 | 202 | NR, 18.81 (2.09) | Self-esteem, affect-balance, vitality, and life satisfaction. | Self-determined sexual motives positively predicted well-being. |
| [77] Study 2 | 147 | NR, 19.10 (1.76) | Self-esteem and life satisfaction. | Self-determined sexual motivation, sexual need satisfaction, well-being, and relational quality were positively intercorrelated. |
| [77] Study 3 | 44 couples | NR, 19.10 (1.76) | Self-esteem and life satisfaction. | Men’s and women’s self-determined sexual motivation predicted their own well-being, and men’s self-determined sexual motivation also predicted women’s well-being. |
| [78] | 12,203 | 12–19, 15 (NR) | Depression, conflicts, loneliness, anxiety, mental clarity, irritation, school performance, distrust, and to find it difficult to handle problems. | Adolescents in violent relationships are more likely to experience negative well-being outcomes. |
| [48] | 190 | 13–19, 15.9 (1.29) | Anxiety, depression, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and traumatic symptomology (stress and dissociation). | Increasing levels of dating violence were related to higher levels of post-traumatic stress and dissociation in girls. Victimization was related to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress in boys. |
| [79] Study 1 | 112 | 19–54, 22.04 (4.37) | Depressed mood, self-esteem, life satisfaction, fatigue, perceived acceptance by one’s partner, relatedness, and relationship satisfaction. | Emotional suppression was related to a greater depressive mood, greater fatigue, lower self-esteem, lower life satisfaction, and less relationship satisfaction. |
| [80] | 2214 | 17–25, 19.36 (1.51) | Difficulties in interpersonal relations, difficulties in social roles, and symptom distress. | Distress symptoms, difficulties in interpersonal relations, and difficulties in social roles were predicted by secure attachments to romantic relationships, among others. |
| [32] | 99 | 18–33, 23.12 (2.43) | Anxiety and depression. | Endorsement of marriage myths predicted positive experiences, whereas benevolent sexism predicted negative experiences. |
| [81] | 1040 | 18–24, 21.02 (1.92) | Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, self-esteem, and sense of personal competency. | Negative appraisals of breakups were associated with lower well-being. Positive appraisals were associated with greater anxiety symptoms, self-esteem, and a sense of personal competency. |
| [45] | 2273 | 14–19, NR (NR) | Positive self-view, depressive feelings, alienation and expectation of success in school, relationships, work, and health. | Being in a dating relationship was associated with less alienation, more positive views of the self, and higher general expectations for success. Among sexually active youth, daters had lower levels of depression than non-daters. |
| [82] | 12,841 | 18–32, NR (NR) | Earnings, high relative income, and stability of employment histories. | Well-being had a weaker association with cohabitation than with marriage. |
| [83] | 5414 | 14–18+, NR (NR) | Quality of life (stress, depression, problems with emotions, physical health, and suicide ideation and attempts) and life satisfaction. | Among girls, dating violence victimization was associated with poor health-related quality of life and suicidal ideation or attempts. Among boys, dating violence perpetration was associated with a poor health-related quality of life and suicide attempts, and lower scores of life satisfaction. |
| [43] Study 1 | 102 | 18–25, 20.9 (1.7) | Depression and anxiety symptoms, relationship satisfaction, romantic attachment security, and relationship decision making. | Romantic competence was associated with greater security, healthier decision making, greater satisfaction, and fewer internalizing symptoms. |
| [43] Study 2 | 187 | NR, 19.65 (3.51) | Depression and anxiety symptoms, relationship satisfaction, and romantic attachment security. | |
| [43] Study 3 | 89 couples | Males: NR, 20.65 (1.82) Females: NR, 20.16 (1.63) |
Relationship satisfaction, romantic attachment security, and relationship decision making. | |
| [84] | 102 couples | NR, 25.40 (5.08) | Autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships, purpose in life, and self-acceptance (Ryff’s model of psychological well-being) | Touch was associated with enhanced affect in the partner and with intimacy and positive affect in the actor. Participants who were touched more often during the diary study week reported better well-being 6 months later. |
| [85] Study 1 | 221 | 19–28, 22.49 (4.65) | Global happiness. | Romantic relationship quality was positively related to happiness. |
| [85] Study 2 | 187 | 18–29, 22.02 (3.02) | Life satisfaction and positive and negative affect. | |
| [22] | 311 | 18–28, 22.75 (4.74) | Life satisfaction and positive and negative affect. | Romantic relationship quality and conflict were predictors of happiness. |
| [31] Study 1 | 43 | Undergraduate | Relationship satisfaction and commitment. | Limiting people’s attention to attractive alternatives reduced relationship satisfaction and commitment and increased positive attitudes toward infidelity. |
| [86] | 125 | 15–23, NR (NR) | Depression, anxiety, physical symptomology, perceived stress, self-esteem, mastery, and self-efficacy. | Sexual-minority youths had comparable self-esteem, mastery, and perceived stress as did heterosexuals, but greater negative affect. |
| [13] | 222 | College students | Life satisfaction and affect balance. | Well-being was positively associated with good-quality relationships. |
| [59] | 15 couples | 18–35, 24.9 (4.3) | Autonomy, competency, self-esteem, general life satisfaction, clarity/certain in life, social satisfaction, and social support. | Perceived understanding among romantic partners was positively associated with well-being. |
| [87] | 63 (time 1) | NR, 19.10 (NR) -time 1- |
Life satisfaction, emotional well-being, self-esteem, loneliness, relationship satisfaction, and relationship breakup. | The Michelangelo phenomenon was positively associated with well-being. |
| [88] Study 1 | 53 couples (time 1) | NR, 19.94 (NR) -time 1- |
Intimacy, agreement, effective problem solving, and shared activities. | A high and mutual commitment to the relationship was positively related to greater adjustment. |
| [89] | 1311 | NR, 20.5 (NR) | Body satisfaction, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. | Scores of well-being were generally consistent across sex partner categories (stranger, casual, close, exclusive, spouse, other), and no significant associations between partner type and well-being were found. |
| [33] | 235 | 18–27, 21.73 (1.64) | Life satisfaction and positive and negative affect. | Relationship quality and need satisfaction were directly and indirectly related to well-being. |
| [49] | 567 | 15–19, 16.1 (1.01) | Psychological deterioration. | Psychological deterioration was one of the most common consequences of violence in dating relationships. |
| [34] | Married: 65 couples Dating: 66 couples |
Married: NR, 28.39 (7.05) Dating: NR, 21.49 (2.14) | Relational satisfaction and stability. | A greater breadth of positive relationship experiences was concurrently and longitudinally associated with well-being. |
| [35] | 1500 | 15–25, 21.50 (2.99) | Expressions of love and support, communication, and perceived risk of negative relationship outcomes. | Congruence between relationship ideals and experiences was positively associated to well-being. |
| [90] | 58 couples | Males: NR, 22 (NR) Females: NR, 21 (NR) |
Relationship satisfaction. | Paying more attention to positive partner behaviors rather than negative partner behaviors was positively associated to well-being. |
| [60] | 30 | 18–25, 23.4 (NR) | Level of happiness. | Romantic involvement was associated to a positive quality of life, positive feelings of happiness, and reducing negative states such as anger and sadness. |
| [36] | 1582 | North America: 18–54, 19 (0.13) Africa: 17–45, 25.18 (0.23) Europe: 17–66, 23 (0.35) |
Life satisfaction with life, positive and negative affect, and personal satisfaction. | Attachment security was the main predictor of well-being in the American and European samples, while in the Mozambican samples it was the Eros love style. Attachment security and well-being was not gender-specific. |
| [91] | 61 couples | 16–20, NR (NR) | Depressive symptomatology and self-esteem. | Romantic relationships characterized by inequality in the contribution of emotional resources and in decision-making, were associated with greater psychological symptomatology. |
| [92] | 105 couples | 17–26, 19.2 (1.8) | Life satisfaction and positive and negative affect. | Higher goal conflict was directly associated with lower relationship quality and lower well-being. |
| [93] Study 2 | 56 | Male: 18–22, 19.3 (1.3) Female: 18–20, 18.5 (0.6) |
Happiness, anger, worry, and sadness. | Engaging in goal-congruent activities with a partner was associated with the highest reports of well-being. |
| [94] Study 1 | 187 | 19–54, 21.51 (3.35) | Daily life satisfaction. | Single people high in avoidance goals were just as happy as people involved in a relationship. In addition, individuals high in approach goals experienced greater well-being, but particularly when they were involved in a relationship. |
| [95] | 92 | 18-27, 20.34 (2.28) | Perceived impact of body feedback. | Positive messages from partners about the own body increased confidence, self-acceptance, and sexual empowerment/fulfillment, whereas negative messages decreased these feelings. |
| [96] | 130 couples | Males: NR, 26.5 (4.2) Females: NR, 25.4 (3.5) |
Marital satisfaction. | High levels of positive affect in conflict situations were positively associated with relationship satisfaction and stability. |
| [97] | 37,855 | NR, 29.8 (4.4) | Life satisfaction and positive affect. | Divorce predicted higher well-being when initial relationship quality was poor. |
| [98] | Sample 1: 78 couples Sample 2: 132 couples |
Sample 1: 21–55, 25 (5.9) Sample 2: 18–67, 24.2 (5.8) | Psychological need fulfillment (relatedness, autonomy and competence—self-determination theory). | Anxious and avoidant attachment predicted lower well-being. |
| [99] | 68 | 18–36, 25.52 (3.74) | Depression, life satisfaction, and perceived stress. | Communal coping was unrelated to psychological distress. Partner overinvolvement in diabetes management had a mixed relation to outcomes, whereas partner under involvement was uniformly related to poor outcomes. |
| [100] | 387 | 14–17, 15.47 (1.05) -at enrolment- |
Relationship quality, partner meets needs, fertility control attitudes, condom use efficacy, sexual negativity, sexual satisfaction, absence of genital pain, partner sexual communication, closeness to family, partner’s closeness to family, general communication with family, substance use, smoking, depression, thrill seeking, self-esteem, anticrime attitudes, anti-deviance attitudes, peer substance use, religiosity, attitudes toward education, community group membership, school group membership, and volunteer work. | Higher sexual health was significantly associated with less substance use, lower self-reported depression, lower thrill seeking, higher self-esteem, having fewer friends who use substances, higher religiosity, better social integration, a lower frequency of delinquent behavior and crime, and more frequent community group membership. |
| [101] | 30 couples | 18–25, 19.4 (NR) | Relationship quality satisfaction. | Correspondence between personal and normative scripts, and agreement between partners on personal scripts predicted well-being. |
| [102] Study 1a | 99 | NR, 18.72 (1.02) | Relationship valuation. | As participants’ chronic promotion concerns increased, the association between autonomy support and relationship valuation was stronger. |
| [102] Study 1b | 112 | NR, 27.78 (9.49) | Commitment and relationship satisfaction. | The perceived support of one’s autonomy needs within a romantic relationship was positively associated with well-being. |
| [102] Study 3a | 87 couples | NR, 20.55 (2.03) | Relationship quality. | Support for autonomy was judged more relevant among individuals concerned with promotion, while support for relatedness would be judged more relevant among individuals concerned with prevention. |
| [103] Study 2 | 153 | 18–38, 20.1 (2.4) | Positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, quality, conflict, and commitment. | Approach motives for sacrifice were positively associated with well-being and relationship quality, while avoidance motives for sacrifice were negatively associated with well-being. |
| [104] Part 2 | 80 couples | 18–60, 23.9 (6.4) | Positive and negative emotions and life satisfaction. | Within-person increases in emotional suppression during daily sacrifice were associated with decreases in well-being. |
| [105] | 124 | 18–38, 20.2 (2.6) | Positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, closeness, fun, and conflict. | Approach sex motives were positively associated with well-being, while avoidance sex motives were negatively associated. |
| [106] | 295 | Males: 18–21, 19.25 (NR) Females: 18–21, 19.19 (NR) |
Self-esteem, loneliness, social anxiety, and avoidance. | Romantic relationship intimacy was positively associated to well-being |
| [46] | 691 | NR, 23 (NR) | Relationship happiness, life satisfaction, general happiness, distress symptoms, and self-esteem. | Individuals in happy relationships reported a higher level of well-being than did individuals in unhappy relationships. Married individuals reported the highest level of well-being, followed cohabiting, steady dating, and casual dating. |
| [107] | 184 | At age ≈ 14: 14.26 (0.76) At age ≈ 15: 15.21 (0.81) At age ≈ 25: 25.67 (0.96) |
Positive and negative affect. | Early adolescent positive affect predicted fewer relationship problems and healthy adjustment to adulthood. |
| [108] | 193 | 17–23, 19.16 (1.20) | Relationship satisfaction and commitment. | Sexual compliance was negatively associated with well-being. |
| [109] | 113 | In-relationship group: NR, 21.8 (0.3) No-relationship group: NR, 21 (0.2) |
Subjective happiness. | Being in a romantic relationship was associated with reduced gray matter density in striatum and increased subjective happiness. |
| [110] Study 1 | 62 couples | 18–37, 21.52 (3.51) | Positive and negative affect and life satisfaction. | Autonomy support between romantic partners was significantly positively related to goal progress. The beneficial effect of autonomy support was mediated by enhanced autonomous goal motivation. |
| [110] Study 3 | 426 | 18–58, 26.50 (7.53) | Autonomy support similarly promoted progress at vicarious goals. | |
| [111] | 231 couples | NR, 27.10 (NR) -time 4- |
Dyadic adjustment. | Locomotion was positively associated with partner affirmation, movement toward the ideal self, and well-being. |
| [112] | 51 | 21–29, 27.02 (1.88) | Depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. | Relationship quality and forming subsequent romantic relationships after breakup did not predict the changes in well-being, whereas remaining single after a breakup was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. |
| [113] | 73 | 17–29, 19.5 (2.3) | Positive and negative emotions and life. | Higher levels of interdependence increased well-being if partners suppressed their negative emotions during sacrifice. |
| [114] | 209 | NR, 19.6 (1.6) | Psychological distress, alienation, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and psychological maturity. | Self-determination and a secure attachment style were both positively associated to well-being. |
| [115] Study1 | 362 | 18–57, 22.87 (7.47) | Physical and psychological symptoms and relationship commitment. | Greater romantic secrecy was associated with reduced commitment to relationship and more reported health symptoms. |
| [115] Study2 | 368 | 18–59, 22.47 (6.98) | Physical and psychological symptoms and relationship commitment. | Romantic secrecy was negatively associated with relational commitment and positively related to negative affect. |
| [116] | 32,479 | 11–16, 13.6 (1.4) | Life satisfaction. | Experiences of dating violence were associated with poorer well-being. |
| [117] | 203 couples | NR, 22.69 (5.49) | Positive and negative affect and life satisfaction. | Partner perfectionist concerns were negatively associated to well-being. |
| [118] | 100 | NR, 26.4 (0.86) | Happiness and positive and negative affect. | High levels of intimacy were positively associated to well-being. |
| [119] | 20,000 (4 cohorts) |
C1-T1: 18; T10: 33 C2-T1: 17; T10: 30 C3-T1: 16; T9: 24 C4-T1: 17; T4: 20 |
Life satisfaction. | Marriage and de facto relationships were positively associated to well-being. |
| [120] Study 1 | 473 | NR, 19.96 (2.81) | Depressive symptoms. | Experiencing situations of physical or psychological abuse was associated with lower levels of well-being. |
| [121] | 277 | NR, 29.79 (6.54) | Depressive symptoms, relationship satisfaction, and sexual functioning. | Communication had a beneficial effect on both the individual and the dyadic level in the context of existence of sexual problems. |
| [52] | 12,504 | 7th –12th grades | Depressive symptoms. | Interracial daters had greater odds of risk for depression than their non-dating and same-race dating peers. Experiencing a romantic breakup explained the elevated risk of depression for daters in general, and same-race daters specifically, but not interracial daters. |
| [122] | 1239 | 13–18, 15 (1.63) | Life satisfaction. | A significant, although weak interaction effect of stress related to romantic relationships by sense of coherence was found in association with life satisfaction for boys. The other interaction effects were nonsignificant in both genders |
| [123] | 461 | 17–21, 18.90 (1.14) | Loneliness, academic satisfaction, and stress. | A secure attachment style was positively associated with well-being. |
| [124] | 121 couples | NR, 19.5 (NR) | Relationship satisfaction, ambivalence, and conflict. | Partner idealization was positively associated with well-being. |
| [125] | 314 | European Americans: 18–59, 26.8 (10.5) Mexican Americans: 17–55, 26.1 (7.8) |
Relational self-esteem and depression. | Power inequality was associated with a lack of authentic self-expression in both populations. A lack of authenticity negatively impacted psychological health, especially for Mexican Americans. |
| [126] | 264 couples | Males: NR, 27 (NR) Females: NR, 25 (NR) |
Happiness with the marriage, satisfaction with the marriage, happiness with the level of equity in the marriage, perceived stability of the marriage, perceived certainty that they would still be married in 5 years, and frequency of thoughts of leaving the spouse. | Reporting abundant and positive experiences and giving positive meaning to them were associated with improved levels of well-being over time. |
| [127] | 832 | 17–54, 20 (2.85) | Psychological distress. | Young adults who reported negative and ambivalent emotional reactions to hooking up also reported lower well-being. |
| [128] | 122 | Victims: NR, 19.2 (NR) Nonvictims: NR, 19 (NR) |
Psychological distress. | Psychological distress was not significantly predicted by coping strategies or the interaction of control and coping in situations of relationship violence. |
| [129] | 256 | 19–28, 23 (2.55) | Life satisfaction with life and positive and negative affect. | The maintenance of relational behaviors driven by self-determined motives was positively associated to well-being. |
| [130] | 161 | Undergraduate, 17–66, NR (NR) | Depression symptoms, life satisfaction, satisfaction with oneself, and physical health. | Having a romantic relationship was associated significantly with well-being, however, results showed that they may be detrimental to women’s well-being |
| [131] | 176 | NR, 20.94 (3.07) | Somatization, depression, anxiety and self-esteem. | Male gender roles, such as success, competitiveness, or power, were negatively associated with the well-being of partners. |
| [132] | 255 couples | Males: 20–45, 28.93 (4.05) Females: 20–45, 27.20 (3.31) |
Relationship adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and sexual desire. | Dyadic empathy was positively associated to well-being. |
| [133] Study 2 | 400 | 18–26, 19.62 (1.95) | Psychiatric disorders. | Low relationship quality levels were negatively associated to well-being. |
| [134] Study 1 | 187 couples | NR, 24.97 (4.62) -time 1- |
Dyadic adjustment. | Partner similarity was positively associated to well-being. |
| [134] Study 2 | 137 couples | NR, 26.45 (4.56) -time 3- |
||
| [135] | 58 | 18–23, 18.8 (1.1) | Religious well-being and existential well-being. | Forgiveness was associated with greater well-being. |
| [136] | 50 couples | 18–70, 22.75 (10.60) | Depression, life satisfaction, empathic concern, and relationship satisfaction. | Emotional interdependence between partners was positively related to well-being, especially regarding positive emotions. |
| [137] | 176 | 24–29, 24.13 (1.84) | Depression and anxiety. | Higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms predicted increases in negative romantic experiences. |
| [37] | 5316 | Boys: NR, 16.06 (1.51) Girls: NR, 15.76 (1.48) |
Severe depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt. | Romantic relationship inauthenticity was positively associated with the risk of depression, suicide ideation and attempt, but only for girls. |
| [138] | 2818 | 18–30, 24 (3.86) -waves 1 and 3- |
Life satisfaction. | Relationship status was related to well-being, reporting married young adults the highest level. |
| [139] | 110 | 13–18, 16.7 (NR) | Depression, anxiety, self-esteem, mastery, and life satisfaction. | A high-quality relationship was associated with increased self-esteem. |
| [140] | 4564 | 11–21, 16.16 (1.51) | Depression and anxiety. | Interracial daters experienced more symptoms of depression and anxiety and poorer family relationships than same-race daters. |
| [38] | 100 (time 4) | Age 29 -time 4- |
Depression and anxiety. | Romantic relationships turning points were related to well-being. A negative turning point was associated to greater depressive symptoms. A positive turning point or a formal turning point were associated to more healthy romantic relationships and a lower number of symptoms. |
| [141] | 11,695 | 18–28, 21.82 (1.85) | Life satisfaction. | Married young adults reported higher life satisfaction than those in other type of romantic relationships, those in no romantic relationship, and those who married prior to age 22. |
| [142] | 466 | 16.22, 17.82 (0.92) | Depression symptoms and self-esteem. | Dating violence victimization was linked with symptoms of depression and a lower self-esteem. |
| [39] | 3258 | 15–21, NR (NR) | Self-esteem, depression, isolation, verbal aggression, delinquent behaviors, benevolent sexism, and hostile sexism. | Adolescents who had a very good-quality relationship reported higher levels of psychological adjustment. |
| [143] Study 1 | 127 couples | NR, 23.33 (3.65) | Life satisfaction, stress, and relationship satisfaction. | Self-control significantly predicted higher life satisfaction and lower stress. However, relationship satisfaction was not significantly predicted by self-control. |
| [143] Study 2 | 149 couples | NR, 25.83 (4.41) | Life satisfaction, subjective well-being, psychological and dyadic adjustment. | Self-control predicted higher life satisfaction, well-being, psychological adjustment, dyadic adjustment, and relationship satisfaction. |
| [144] | 666 | 18–24, NR (NR) | Depression, anxiety, life satisfaction and self-esteem. | Hook-ups were associated with higher well-being for women and lower well-being for men. |
| [145] | 119 | NR, 23 (2.28) | Autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, purpose in life, positive relationships, and self-acceptance (Ryff’s model of psychological well-being). | Positive relationship quality was found to be a mediator between forgiveness (seeking and self) and well-being. |
| [146] | 145 | 18–25, 21.10 (1.75) | Happiness, psychological distress, and self-esteem. | Low attachment anxiety in romantic relationships predicted happiness; low attachment anxiety and high self-efficacy predicted low psychological distress; less fear of negative evaluation from the partner and high self-efficacy positively predicted self-esteem. |
| [147] | 484 | 18–25, 19.13 (1.47) | Depressive symptoms. | Higher relationship quality was positively associated with well-being. |
| [148] Study 2 | 60 | NR, 19.7 (2.78) | Depressive symptoms. | Self-blame predicted depressive affect to the extent that participants forgave themselves. |
| [149] | 506 | 17–24, 20.79 (1.24) | Relational self-esteem and relational depression. | Higher levels of self-compassion were related to greater likelihood to compromise, as well as greater authenticity, lower levels of emotional turmoil, and higher levels of well-being. |
| [150] | 31 | 21–24, 22.1 (0.98) | General affect and life satisfaction. | Forgiveness was positively related to improvement in anxiety, depression, and well-being. |
| [40] | 148 couples | 17–29, 20.8 (3.8) | Anxiety, depressed mood, positive well-being, self-control, general health, and vitality. | Individuals with better well-being reported more positive romantic behaviors. |
Note: NR = information not reported.