Social Support and Life Satisfaction among the Never Married

Abstract

This article examines the role of social support (measured as presence of a confidant, perceived social support, and frequency of informal interaction) in determining life satisfaction among the never married. Using data from Wave I (1986) of Americans’ Changing Lives, social support of the never married ( n = 266) is compared with that of the married ( n = 1,765) and previously married ( n = 1,147). Results indicate that age moderates the effect of marital status on social support such that the negative effects of being never married are greatest among the elderly. In the analyses of life satisfaction, marital status and social support are significant predictors. Moreover, social support partially mediates the effect of marital status on life satisfaction.