Knowing What You Want
The Role of Relationship Clarity in Single Young Adults' Loneliness and Well-Being
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3469367 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Katya F Kredl (0009-0006-5690-6962, Department of Psychology McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada, corresponding author), Dita Kubin (0000-0001-7736-0301, Department of Psychology McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada), John E Lydon (0000-0002-6500-5385, Department of Psychology McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Publication date | 2025-09-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Personal Relationships (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1350-4126 • E-ISSN: 1475-6811 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/pere.70023 |
| OpenAlex | W4413803948 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 65 |
The goal of the current study was to explore the role of relationship clarity-the extent to which someone understands what they want in a relationship-in single young adults' dating experiences. We hypothesized that for single individuals who are actively dating, lacking clearly defined dating goals may lead to greater loneliness and, in turn, account for decreased life satisfaction. We first validated the Relationship Clarity Scale (RCS) using data from both Studies 1 and 2 (N = 375). Across two studies, we then examined single young adults' dating experiences and reports of relationship clarity cross-sectionally (Study 1: N = 191) and longitudinally (Study 2: N = 184). Findings revealed that for single young adults who were actively dating, lower relationship clarity (i.e., not knowing what one is looking for in a romantic relationship) predicted increased loneliness over time, and this loneliness accounted for decreased life satisfaction. These findings offer insight into how the clarity of romantic goals during early dating stages may be important for single people's well-being and, ultimately, for life satisfaction
CLARITY · Developmental psychology · Loneliness · Psychotherapist · Well-being · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology
Emerging Adulthood
A Short-Form Measure of Loneliness
Methods and Measures
The Satisfaction With Life Scale
Coping or Thriving? Reviewing Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Societal Factors Associated With Well-Being in Singlehood From a Within-Group Perspective
Relationship Status and Psychological Well-being
The agony of partner choice
Contextualizing singlehood among young adults
Exploring the associations between being single, romantic importance, and positive well‐being in young adulthood
Relationships on a Pedestal
Happiness Singled Out
“Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves”
Determining Power and Sample Size for Simple and Complex Mediation Models
Unsupported and Stigmatized? The Association Between Relationship Status and Well-Being Is Mediated by Social Support and Social Discrimination
Required Sample Size to Detect the Mediated Effect
Getting to Know Me
Associations of attachment avoidance and anxiety with life satisfaction, satisfaction with singlehood, and desire for a romantic partner
Age moderates the link between relationship desire and life satisfaction among singles
Transferring connections
Relationship form and function
Chasing Prince Charming
The Challenge of Romantic Relationships in Emerging Adulthood
Romantic Relationship Status and Emerging Adult Well-Being
Ruling out potential dating partners
Singlehood as an identity
The predictive validity of ideal partner preferences
Understanding singlehood as a complex and multifaceted experience
Defining and Describing Situationships
The Urgent Need for a Singles Studies Discipline All the Single Ladies
Subjective well-being
Single and Partnered Individuals’ Sexual Satisfaction as a Function of Sexual Desire and Activities
Sexual Intimacy in First-time Mothers
Ambiguity potentiates effects of loneliness on feelings of rejection
The necessities and luxuries of mate preferences
System justification and the defense of committed relationship ideology
Self-concept clarity
Expect and you shall perceive
Ideals in intimate relationships
The need to belong
Self-concept clarity and the evaluation and selection of incompatible dating partners
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |