In recent years, the increasing prevalence of single adults in many countries has prompted intensified scientific efforts aimed at understanding single people's mental health outcomes. Notably, the newest research line in single studies is intended to determine the circumstances in which singlehood is related to coping or thriving and answer the question of Who is well adapted to single status?
Previous studies revealed that higher mental health among singles is related to such intrapersonal factors as attachment security, social-avoidance goals, lower desire for a partner, older age, higher satisfaction with singlehood and relationship congruency, positive religious coping and positive religious attribution, higher spiritual well-being, and attachment to a pet. In turn, the following example interpersonal factors are recognized as related to higher singles' mental health: stronger perceived social support and integration, high quality of friendships, and lower sexual desire.
This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive review of previous literature to indicate the intra-and interpersonal factors related to enhanced mental health among single adults. This review serves as a basis for formulating the practical implications for psychotherapeutic and educational work with single clients who may encounter in their work single individuals experiencing adverse mental health outcomes as a function of remaining single.