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Only children have better life satisfaction (science backed)

They're not lonelier. They're happier.

If you’ve been following me a while, you know that since November 2024, my life has been hijacked by a tiny dictator. She’s adorable, occasionally loud, and recently unlocked a new skill of sitting upright. Big milestone. Big deal. Yes.

But lately, as my wife and I wrestle with sleep deprivation, we sometimes play-fight with a terrifying thought.

❝

What if this little bossy angel remains our only child?

Won’t she be lonely?

Won’t she be spoiled?

Is she gonna be the weird kid at school?

And right on cue, I came across this science journal paper that answers our questions.

Only children have better mental health

A groundbreaking new study published in Nature Human Behaviour (here’s the link) recently turned all those classic only-child stereotypes upside-down.

Let’s cut to the chase. Here’s the meat from their research:

  1. Only children aren’t lonely and they’re mentally healthier

    The study analysed over 7,000 participants and found that only children consistently report higher life satisfaction and lower anxiety than folks with siblings. Turns out, not having someone steal your snacks growing up does wonders for your mental health. Who knew?

  2. They’re secretly smarter

    MRI scans showed only children have more gray matter density in key brain areas linked to language, memory, and problem-solving skills. They’re basically walking around with an upgraded brain hardware.

  3. Creativity thrives in only children

    Researchers found only kids were measurably more creative and open to new experience. Apparently when you’re not constantly fighting with a sibling over the remote control, you have more time to think more deeply about the world.

  4. They are less reward dependent

    The assessments done by the researchers found that only children are less impulsive and reward dependent, which is connected to craving external approvals.

The significant threshold is at two-sided paired sample t-test P < 0.05/5/3 = 3.33 × 10−3. Abbreviations: AP, air pollution; ASES, adverse socioeconomic status; CSES, city-level socioeconomic status; FSES, family socioeconomic status; LCI, lower confidence interval; OC,only children; PEE, proximal environmental exposure; SC, support and care; SD, standard deviation; UCI, upper confidence interval. Image from Nature Human Behaviour

So why are only kids winning? The researchers think it’s probably because they enjoy undivided parental resources, attention, and fewer sibling distractions which in turn, fosters a nurturing environment to develop emotional and cognitive skills.

Note: their work did not take into account external factors like interactions with classmates or relatives, and other reasons why families might have only one child.

Going back to the start

This peer reviewed research journal hit home for me because growing up, I actually heard the exact opposite narrative. But this new science feels like a reassurance telling new parents like me it’s okay if the plan doesn’t include siblings.

Down the line, whether our little dictator stays solo or eventually gets a sibling, my real job isn’t to fit her into societal norms; it’s simply to help her be and thrive exactly as she is. Even if she continues to wake me at 2AM.

Talk soon,

Krish

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