Marriage is often not the magical "escape route" it is portrayed to be. A new study published in a 2025 journal has shown that the source of happiness in relationships is not marriage itself. It merely continues the feelings that already existed between partners from the beginning.
Lent.az, referring to foreign media, reports that scientists have refuted the popular myth that marriage is a universal source of happiness.
In this study covering a total of 35 years, more than 1100 marriage stories from 1984 to 2019 were tracked to examine how life satisfaction has changed over time.
The main goal of the research was to determine to what extent marriage affects life satisfaction. Scientists followed participants' journeys from a single life stage to relationships, cohabitation, and finally marriage.
According to the results of the study, the real cause of happiness is neither expensive wedding ceremonies nor glittering events. The foundation of happiness is the inner sense of comfort given by mutual understanding, support, and vibrant relationships. If the couple is healthy and harmonious, major events like weddings and cohabitation merely strengthen the existing feeling of joy.
"People who know how to be happy before marriage maintain this feeling after marriage as well. If you desire a 'fairy-tale' marriage, then start building this fairy tale long before the wedding bells ring," added psychologist Travers.
