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The key to a happy family? Having FOUR or more children: Parents of larger broods are happier and more satisfied with their lives

Psychologists conducted a five-year study into family life satisfaction
Participants were asked to complete questionnaires about their home life
Parents with four or more children were the most satisfied group
While single fathers said they were the least satisfied with their family life

Published: 06:37 EST, 14 September 2015 | Updated: 01:59 EST, 16 September 2015

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Children can be loud, chaotic and expensive and many of us would assume that the larger a family, the more fraught the parents will be.

But the opposite is true.

A study has found that parents with four or more children are more satisfied than those with fewer offspring because they enjoy the chaos of a large family.

The research also found gay, lesbian and transgender parents are just as happy with their lot, while single dads are the least satisfied with their family set-up.

A study has found that parents with four or more children are more satisfied than those with fewer offspring because they enjoy the chaos of a large family. The parents said larger families provide a support network and older siblings were able to support the parents by caring for the younger ones (stock image pictured)

These results come from a five-year study carried out by Bronwyn Harman from the Edith Cowan University in Australia.

She interviewed and surveyed hundreds of parents from a range of set-ups including families with same-sex parents, single mothers and fathers, families with multiple children, and those with a single child.

WATCHING TV TOGETHER IS A SECRET TO A HAPPY FAMILY

The secrets to a happy family have been revealed as watching their favourite shows together, sitting around the table for Sunday lunch and living within walking distance of a pub.

Researchers spoke to almost 2,000 parents from across the country and found just under 40 per cent of those polled said watching TV programmes as a family made them happy.

A further 39 per cent said not having any secrets was a vital ingredient for a loving and healthy relationship while 32 per cent said not arguing in front of the children was essential for a stress free family life.

Each family was asked to rate how much social support they received, how satisfied they were with their lives, how resilient they thought they were and for details about their self-esteem and confidence.

Ms Harman then ranked the different groups of parents based on their scores.

Parents with four or more children were found to be the most satisfied of all the groups because the family provided a large support network and they were 'rarely bored.'

Children in larger families additionally learnt responsibility from a young age and older siblings were able to support the parents by caring for the younger ones.

Same-sex parents were the most resilient group and had the fewest concerns about public perceptions.

'They have to go to a lot of effort to get these children, so these children are very, very much desired,' Ms Harman said.

'Often when same-sex parents do have a child they feel like they've hit the jackpot because they didn't think it was going to be possible because of their sexuality.'

The research also found gay, lesbian and transgender parents (stock image) are just as happy with their lot, while single dads are the least satisfied with their family set-up. These results come from a five-year study carried out by Ms Bronwyn Harman from the Edith Cowan University in Australia

At the opposite end of the scale, single fathers felt they were perceived as the 'lesser parent' and felt the least satisfied with their lives.

The survey answers also showed that the fathers are often blamed for the break-up of the family - even if they weren't responsible - which affects their public perception, and they can struggle to get time off work to look after their children.

However single fathers whose children were now adults said it had been worth going through the difficulties to maintain a strong relationship with their children.

Ms Harman added that government services for families typically did account for the various family set-ups and services should be tailored towards the individual styles.