A new study spanning over two decades reveals that nurturing friendships may be a consistent way to protect against depressive symptoms throughout life, while romantic relationships present a more complicated picture. The findings indicate that being involved in close friendships was linked to fewer depressive symptoms from adolescence into middle age. However, when it came to romantic relationships, becoming romantically involved was actually associated with increased depressive symptoms, regardless of age.
However, not all relationships are the same. Friendships and romantic relationships, for example, can function very differently in our lives. Society often places a higher value on romantic partnerships, suggesting they bring more happiness and fulfillment than friendships. It’s true that the emotional bonds we have with romantic partners can be incredibly strong.
Yet, romantic relationships often come with higher expectations, like exclusivity and intense emotional investment. These high expectations can sometimes lead to negative experiences such as jealousy or conflict. Friendships, on the other hand, tend to have more flexible expectations. We can rely on different friends for different kinds of support, which might make them a more stable source of well-being.