A 2025 study from Germany and the UK followed over 2,700 single mothers to find out how re-partnering (finding a new partner) affects their life satisfaction and mental health.
Here’s what they discovered:
(1) Moms who eventually found a new partner already had slightly higher life satisfaction even before becoming single
(2) After re-partnering, these moms reported feeling happier and more satisfied with life
(3) But when it comes to mental health, there was no major difference
What this means:
Getting into a new relationship can help improve emotional well-being for single moms, especially in terms of life satisfaction, but mental health changes are more complex.
Source: Dierker, P., Kühn, M., & Myrskylä, M. (2025). Selective re-partnering? Mental health and life satisfaction among separated single mothers in Germany and the UK. Acta Sociologica, 68(3), 357-369.