Single‐Sided
Associations Between Social Network Opinions and Singlehood Among Heterosexual and Sexually Diverse Individuals
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7474094 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sydney G Wick (0000-0003-3432-9587, University of Mississippi, corresponding author), H Colleen Sinclair (0000-0002-5921-595X, Louisiana State University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-01 |
| 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.70055 |
| OpenAlex | W7130506166 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 39 |
Although romantic relationships are often idealized, many individuals find satisfaction in being single. Evidence shows social networks influence commitment within romantic relationships—with network approval being a boon, and disapproval a detractor—but whether this social network effect extends to commitment to being single remains unclear. This study examined whether perceived approval from parents and friends predicts commitment to singlehood and fear of being single, and if associations differ according to one's sexual orientation. Single US adults ( N = 501, 47% women, 50% White) identifying as heterosexual ( n = 256) and sexually diverse (e.g., gay, pansexual; n = 245) completed an online survey assessing aspects of singlehood. Network approval—especially from friends—is related to higher commitment and lower fear. After including covariates, approval was no longer associated with commitment or fear in either group. Combining heterosexual and sexually diverse participants, parent and friend approval remained significant predictors of lower fear, even after covariates were included. Subjective norms, calculated as opinions weighted by motivation to comply, showed little consistency in their associations. Approval from friends appears especially important for sexually diverse singles, who may rely more on their chosen family for social support. Findings extend understanding of the nuanced nature of the social network effect when applied to singlehood
Association (psychology · Consistency (knowledge bases · Romance · Social network (sociolinguistics · Social relation · Social relationship · Social support · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
Target Article
G*Power 3
Differences Between Tight and Loose Cultures
Coping or Thriving? Reviewing Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Societal Factors Associated With Well-Being in Singlehood From a Within-Group Perspective
Singles’ Sexual Satisfaction is Associated With More Satisfaction With Singlehood and Less Interest in Marriage
Relationships on a Pedestal
“Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves”
Unsupported and Stigmatized? The Association Between Relationship Status and Well-Being Is Mediated by Social Support and Social Discrimination
Happily Single
Same Sex Intimacies
Being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, or Intersex (LGBTQI) and Christian
Subjective norms and the prediction of romantic relationship state and fate
Aromanticism, asexuality, and relationship (non-)formation
Dynamics of perceived social network support for same‐sex versus mixed‐sex relationships
Couple Culture and the Production of Singleness
Fear of being single priming predicts maladaptive relationship pursuits
Don’t Tell Me Who I Can’t Love
Empirically derived guidelines for effect size interpretation in social psychology
Are single people a stigmatized ‘group’? Evidence from examinations of social identity, entitativity, and perceived responsibility
Fear of being single and extreme behaviors aimed at finding a romantic partner
Settling for less out of fear of being single
Balancing Relationships
Social Network Pressure on Women and Men to Enter a Romantic Relationship and Fear of Being Single
The predictive effects of fear of being single on physical attractiveness and less selective partner selection strategies
Perceived social network support and well-being in same-sex versus mixed-sex romantic relationships
No Couple Is an Island
I'm a Loser, I'm Not Married, Let's Just All Look at Me
Committed to staying single
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |