Unexpected key to a happy marriage revealed

Study: Couples who met without intermediaries are happier in marriage

Chinese scientist Xueshen Ding found that people who independently found their significant other are more satisfied with married life than those who were helped to meet a partner. The results of the work, based on data from the large-scale China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) project, were published in the scientific journal Critical Humanistic Social Theory (CHST).

For centuries, marriages in many cultures were arranged with the participation of relatives, community, or professional matchmakers. Social origin, religion, and family reputation played a decisive role, while personal feelings were considered secondary. With the advent of industrialization and urban growth, the situation changed dramatically – people began to meet potential partners in universities, workplaces, and friend circles, and emotional connection and compatibility became priorities.

In his study, Ding divided all ways of meeting into two categories: "independent" and "non-independent".

"'Non-independent' meetings include relationships that began through parents, relatives, friends, as well as through marriage-oriented platforms - dating sites, TV shows, and mass events for finding a partner. In turn, 'independent' acquaintances are formed during natural communication - in universities, at work, or through online platforms not originally designed for finding a partner," explained Xueshen Ding.

Data analysis revealed a clear trend: couples who met independently rate their marriage as happier. In contrast, partners who met through intermediaries more often report less satisfaction with their relationships.

Within the category of "non-independent" meetings, interesting differences were also found. The least satisfied were spouses who were matched by relatives. Introductions through friends showed better results, but still did not reach the level of independent meetings. In addition, couples who met online on non-specialized platforms are less happy than those who met in real life on their own initiative.

"Relationship satisfaction primarily depends on the personal qualities of the partners and how their interaction develops over time. The method of meeting probably reflects a person's more general behavioral attitudes in the romantic sphere, rather than determining the quality of marriage by itself," the researcher noted.