A new study has challenged the widely held belief that romantic relationships are more beneficial for mental health than friendships. Researchers who analysed a longitudinal dataset spanning over two decades found that close friendships were consistently linked to lower levels of depressive symptoms, while the impact of romantic relationships on mental health was more complex. The findings were published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
The study followed individuals from adolescence into early midlife, assessing their levels of depressive symptoms and their involvement in both romantic and friendship relationships. The findings revealed that while being in a romantic relationship was often seen as a marker of social success, it was not always associated with better mental health outcomes. In contrast, having close friendships appeared to be a strong protective factor against depressive symptoms throughout life.
One of the key findings was that romantic involvement during adolescence was linked to increased depressive symptoms. The pressures, emotional turbulence, and expectations that come with young romantic relationships may contribute to this trend. However, as individuals aged, the negative association between romantic involvement and depressive symptoms became less pronounced. By early midlife, individuals who had a higher propensity to be in romantic relationships generally reported fewer depressive symptoms compared to those who remained single for extended periods.
Friendships, on the other hand, consistently played a positive role in mental health across all life stages. The study found that both within-person and between-person increases in friendship involvement were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. This suggests that maintaining strong social connections with friends can be an important factor in protecting against mental health difficulties.
The research also indicated that individuals may benefit more from their relationships as they grow older. This aligns with the socioemotional selectivity theory, which suggests that people become more selective in their social interactions with age, prioritising meaningful and supportive relationships. In adulthood, both romantic and friendship involvement appeared to play a more positive role in mental health compared to adolescence, with close friendships showing particularly strong benefits.
The study’s findings add to a growing body of research that questions the assumption that romantic relationships are the most significant source of emotional support. While romantic relationships can offer companionship and fulfilment, they also come with challenges such as conflict, jealousy, and high expectations, which may contribute to stress and depressive symptoms, particularly in younger individuals. Friendships, by contrast, often provide emotional support with fewer complications, allowing individuals to maintain strong social bonds without the added pressures of exclusivity and commitment.
