Study examines link between marriage and life satisfaction among mothers

A new study from The Marriage Foundation suggests that married mothers report higher levels of life satisfaction compared to those who are single or unmarried. Analyzing data from the Millennium Cohort Study, researchers tracked 3,700 mothers, finding that 59 percent of those married before their first child's birth and 61 percent of those married afterward reported being highly satisfied when their child reached age 14. In contrast, 49 percent of mothers who were cohabiting but never married reported high satisfaction.

Dr. Harry Benson, the organization's research director, noted that the findings indicate marriage is associated with both greater relationship stability and higher life satisfaction for mothers whose relationships remain intact. The research also observed a general decline in reported happiness for all mothers between their child's infancy and teenage years, regardless of marital status. While the study highlights a correlation between marriage and satisfaction, it also notes that even among mothers whose relationships ended, those who had been married reported varying levels of satisfaction compared to those who never married.