The Importance of Relationships in Shaping Happiness for Emerging Adults

As someone who has had the privilege of working with thousands of adults and young people through PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills) classes, I am always intrigued by new insights into what makes people truly happy. One group that particularly captures my attention is emerging adults—those in their late teens to early thirties, navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood. A recent study titled “Heterogeneity in Happiness: A Latent Profile Analysis of Single Emerging Adults” provides a fascinating look into the factors that shape happiness during this critical time.

This study, which explored how single emerging adults experience happiness, uncovered five distinct profiles based on key predictors like friendship satisfaction, family satisfaction, self-esteem, neuroticism, and extraversion. Through my work with PAIRS, I have seen firsthand how these very factors play a pivotal role in influencing a person’s well-being, especially as they navigate the often-uncertain waters of adulthood.

Relationships: The Heart of Happiness

The central message of this research is something I have come to believe deeply through years of teaching PAIRS: relationships are at the heart of happiness. The study found that friendship satisfaction was consistently the most vital predictor of happiness, with the happiest individuals being those who enjoyed strong, fulfilling friendships and had low levels of neuroticism. The happiest group, Profile 1, accounted for 11.1% of the participants and was characterized by very high friendship satisfaction, family satisfaction, and self-esteem, along with very low neuroticism​.

This finding rings true not just for single emerging adults but for people of all ages. The quality of our connections with others profoundly shapes how we experience life. In PAIRS, we teach practical tools for building and maintaining healthy, meaningful relationships. Whether it’s learning to communicate effectively, resolving conflicts, or developing emotional literacy, the ability to create strong, supportive bonds is key to personal happiness. The research reinforces this, showing that those with fulfilling friendships are more likely to be happy, even when other areas of life are challenging.

The Role of Family and Self-Esteem

The study also highlights the importance of family satisfaction and self-esteem as crucial predictors of happiness. Even as young adults step out to establish their independence, the influence of family remains significant. Whether those relationships are positive or fraught with tension, they continue to impact how individuals see themselves and the world.

Interestingly, the study identified five distinct profiles of happiness among single emerging adults, with varying degrees of satisfaction across these dimensions. For example, Profile 2, which included 26.8% of participants, had very high friendship satisfaction but only somewhat high self-esteem and higher neuroticism​. Yet, these individuals were still relatively happy because their strong friendships offset the emotional struggles linked to neuroticism. This balance underscores the powerful influence of relationships on overall happiness.

Self-esteem is another major factor. In PAIRS, we often focus on helping people build a strong sense of self-worth, which is foundational to both personal happiness and the ability to form healthy relationships. The research shows that individuals with higher self-esteem are more likely to be happy, and this aligns perfectly with what we see in our work: when people learn to value themselves, they are better equipped to face life’s challenges with confidence.

The Impact of Emotional States

The findings on neuroticism and extraversion provide further insights into how emotional states affect happiness. Neuroticism, which includes traits like anxiety and emotional instability, was strongly linked to lower happiness. Participants in Profile 5, the least happy group (9.1% of the sample), exhibited very low friendship satisfaction, family satisfaction, and self-esteem, along with high levels of neuroticism​. This combination led to significantly lower levels of happiness, emphasizing the harmful effects of unchecked emotional volatility.

In contrast, individuals who scored higher on extraversion, which often translates to being more social and outgoing, tended to be happier. However, this doesn’t mean that introverts are doomed to unhappiness—far from it. In PAIRS, we teach that understanding and managing emotions is key to well-being. Neuroticism often stems from unresolved emotional pain or unmet needs, and through PAIRS skills, individuals can learn to process these emotions in a healthy way, reducing their impact on overall happiness.

Additionally, the study found that certain factors could mitigate the effects of neuroticism. For instance, Profile 3, which comprised 38.4% of participants, showed average levels of happiness despite having somewhat low friendship satisfaction. These individuals compensated for lower friendship satisfaction with average family satisfaction and self-esteem​. This balancing act illustrates that life is rarely perfect in every area, but people who cultivate strong, supportive relationships often find ways to maintain their well-being even in the face of personal struggles.

Actionable Steps for Emerging Adults

What this study ultimately shows is that happiness, particularly for emerging adults, is deeply intertwined with the quality of their relationships. As a PAIRS trainer, I’ve seen the transformative power of relationships time and time again. When people learn how to connect with others in meaningful, authentic ways, their lives change. They become more resilient, more fulfilled, and ultimately, happier.

For emerging adults, this period of life is often filled with questions and uncertainty. But one thing is clear from both research and experience: investing in relationships—whether with friends, family, or romantic partners—is one of the most effective ways to build a happy, fulfilling life. In particular, friendships play a critical role in shaping well-being, as demonstrated by the significant impact of friendship satisfaction across all happiness profiles​.

Practical Takeaways:

1. Invest in Friendships: Friendships were the most important factor in happiness for emerging adults. Building and maintaining strong friendships can help balance out other emotional or life struggles.
2. Work on Self-Esteem: Higher self-esteem was consistently linked to greater happiness. Take steps to improve how you view yourself, and surround yourself with people who uplift and support you.
3. Manage Neuroticism: If you struggle with anxiety or emotional instability, developing emotional literacy can help reduce the negative impact of these traits on your happiness.
4. Strengthen Family Bonds: While emerging adults seek independence, maintaining healthy family relationships can provide stability and enhance overall well-being.

At PAIRS, we are committed to helping individuals of all ages develop the skills they need to create these kinds of relationships. By teaching emotional literacy, effective communication, and conflict resolution, we empower people to take control of their happiness and create the kinds of connections that will support them through every stage of life. As this study highlights, it is in these connections that true happiness is found.

Seth Eisenberg has been a PAIRS Trainer for over 25 years, helping thousands of adults and young people build stronger, healthier relationships through practical, evidence-based skills.