Rihanna insists she doesn't need a relationship to be happy.

The 24-year-old singer - who has recently been romantically linked to former boyfriend Chris Brown and actor Ashton Kutcher - believes people shouldn't worry too much about finding love as it comes along when least expected.

She said: ''Being in love is definitely a big part of happiness, but you have to find joy on your own first. You can't wait for a man to make you happy.

''If a man is the one thing missing from your life, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll be unhappy. There's so much else.

''I think people focus on love a lot. Often when you're looking, that's exactly when you don't find it.''

While she is currently single, the 'Battleship' star insists she still believes in love.

She told more! magazine: ''I believe in love. Even if you don't have someone in your life, there's always that need to give love.''

Rihanna also believes many women depend too much on their partners but thinks that is down to natural instinct.

She said: ''I think it's so easy to do that [depend on a man] and you shouldn't. I think it's in women's nature to do that. We're giving, we're maternal and we care. We want to give that love and make sure they're OK every step of the way.''