I get so lonely, baby: The effects of loneliness and social isolation on romantic dependency

ABSTRACT

Individuals lacking fulfilling interpersonal interactions may experience feelings of loneliness. Consequently, these individuals may over-rely on their romantic partners to fulfill the need to belong. This study examined the effects of loneliness and social isolation on dependency on a romantic partner in a sample of college students (N = 104). Participants who were in a romantic relationship completed measures of loneliness, social isolation, and romantic dependency near the beginning of the semester (Time 1) and approximately 6 weeks later toward the end of the semester (Time 2). Toward the beginning of the semester, there were no significant predictors of dependency. Toward the end of the semester, individuals who reported higher social isolation reported higher levels of dependency. Time 1 dependency also predicted Time 2 dependency. Future methodological directions and suggestions regarding the examination of perceptions of loneliness and relationship expectations are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Couple relationships
• interpersonal understanding
• relationships

Notes

1. 150 participants were recruited. Some participants (n = 35) were removed because they did not complete Time 2 of the study (approximately 6 weeks later), nine participants were removed because they were not with the same partner from Time 1 to Time 2, and 2 participants who were outliers, as identified by visual inspection, box and whisker plots, and a z-score cutoff of + 3.0, were removed. The remaining 104 participants were included in the analyses.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michelle Hasan

Michelle Hasan, MS, is a doctoral candidate at Saint Louis University with concentrations in social psychology and quantitative methods for behavioral science. Her research examines the self within dyadic romantic relationships. Eddie M. Clark, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at Saint Louis University. His research examines close relationships (infidelity, satisfaction, commitment, and relationship maintenance) and health (culturally appropriate health communication and the relationship between religiosity and health). He teaches courses related to general psychology, African American psychology, close relationships, and health psychology.

Eddie M. Clark

Michelle Hasan, MS, is a doctoral candidate at Saint Louis University with concentrations in social psychology and quantitative methods for behavioral science. Her research examines the self within dyadic romantic relationships. Eddie M. Clark, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at Saint Louis University. His research examines close relationships (infidelity, satisfaction, commitment, and relationship maintenance) and health (culturally appropriate health communication and the relationship between religiosity and health). He teaches courses related to general psychology, African American psychology, close relationships, and health psychology.