Journal of Woman and Family Studies

The Relationship between Girls' Singlehood Type and Psychological Well-being: The Mediating Role of Romantic Loneliness

Document Type : Research/Original/Regular

Authors

1 Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology& Education, Faculty of humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22051/jwfs.2024.42018.2915

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of romantic loneliness in the relationship between singlehood type (voluntary and involuntary singlehood) with female's psychological well-being. The research method is descriptive and correlational. Among females over 40 years old in Tehran, a sample of 267 (139 Voluntary and 128 Involuntary Singlehood) was selected by convenience sampling method. The research tools included Ryff‌ 's psychological well-being questionnaire (1989) and Ditommasso et al.'s (2004) sense of social-emotional loneliness in adults. The research model was tested through the structural equation modeling method and using Lisrel software. The results showed that the feeling of romantic loneliness does not have a significant mediating role between the type of celibacy and psychological well-being (p < 0.05). According to the findings of the present research, the feeling of romantic loneliness has no effect on psychological well-being and cannot play a mediating role in the relationship between the type of celibacy and psychological well-being. Therefore, it is suggested to investigate the role of other intervening variables in this regard in future researches.

Highlights

  A person's point of view regarding the reason for being single can lead to different results. For example, the studies of Apostolou & et al. (2022) showed that people who consider singleness as a result of their choice had better mental health than unintentionally single people. Studies that have also considered involuntary celibacy show that involuntary celibacy is associated with feelings of sexual failure, depression, rejection, difficulty concentrating or working, and low self-esteem (Apostolou   et al., 2023).

Studies have shown that marriage plays a role in psychological well-being and being involved in a committed romantic relationship has a great impact on people's mental health. According to social control theories, serious romantic partners reinforce healthy behaviors in each other and promote psychological well-being (Whitton   et al., 2020).

Another important issue that can be a consequence of celibacy and is raised in connection with single people is the feeling of romantic loneliness. Romantic loneliness is caused by the lack of sincere attachment, the absence of a romantic and private partner (Adamczyk, 2017). Researches have shown that married people and those who live with their partners felt less lonely than those who were not in such relationships (Bernardon   et al., 2011).

According to what was said, considering the increasing number of unmarried girls in Iran due to various personal, social and economic reasons (Shahanvaz & Azam-Azadeh, 2018) and the relationship between marital status and psychological well-being, as well as between loneliness and health problems There are mental disorders such as depression and anxiety and at the same time, there are a number of studies that examine these relationships in terms of voluntary and involuntary celibacy and a specific type of loneliness, that is, romantic loneliness. is limited, as a result, this study aimed to present a theoretical model in which romantic loneliness acts as a mediating variable in the relationship between the type of celibacy (voluntary and involuntary) and psychological well-being.

Method

The method of the current research was a correlational description. The statistical population of this research included all unmarried girls over 40 years old in Tehran in 2019-2020. Using convenient sampling method, a sample of 267 people was selected based on the criteria of the research and included 139 voluntary singles (people who have chosen single life despite having the conditions and full preparation for marriage) and 128 unwanted singles (people who wanted to get married but could not get married due to real or unreal reasons). Data analysis was done using statistical software SPSS version 27 and LISREL version 8.8.

Measurements

Psychological Well-being (PWB)

In the present study, the psychological well-being scale of Ryff (1989) was used. This tool has 6 components and each component has 14 questions. Ryff (1989) reported alphas obtained for the components ranging from .86 to .93.

Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults S(ELSA-S)

This questionnaire was designed and prepared by Ditommasso, & et al, 2004. This scale has 15 items, which has been reduced to 14 items in the Iranian form, and has three subscales: romantic, family, and social loneliness.  Alphas obtained for the components were reported from .78 to .92 (Jowkar & Salimi, 2012).

 

 

 

Results

In Table 1, the results of the Pearson correlation test showed that the type of celibacy was related to romantic loneliness (p<.05). The intensity of the relationship is -.19 and the direction of the relationship between the type of celibacy and loneliness is negative, which means that people with higher self-imposed celibacy have lower romantic loneliness.

 

Table 1. Pearson correlation matrix between main variables

Variables

self-acceptance

positive relationships

autonomy

environmental mastery

purpose in life

 

personal growth

Psychological Well-being

romantic loneliness

singlehood type

self-acceptance

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

positive relationships

.35**

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

autonomy

.28**

.50**

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

environmental mastery

.45**

/42**

.45**

1

 

 

 

 

 

purpose in life

 

.61**

.23**

.27**

.56**

1

 

 

 

 

personal growth

.48**

.52**

.56**

.52**

.48**

1

 

 

 

Psychological Well-being

.73**

.69**

.68**

.76**

.43**

.81**

1

 

 

romantic loneliness

.03

-.04

-.15*

.02

-.09

.10

-.04

1

 

singlehood type

.27**

.11

.14*

.25**

.28**

.12

.24**

-.19**

1

Note: p-value * = ≥ .05 and p-value = ≥.01

The type of celibacy was related to psychological well-being and it was not related to only two components of psychological well-being including positive relationships with others and personal growth (p-value<.05). The findings showed that there was a significant relationship between the type of celibacy and four components of well-being, including self-acceptance, autonomy, control over the environment, and purposeful life (p-value <.05). The positive direction of the relationship means that people who have higher self-willed celibacy have a higher and better level of self-acceptance, autonomy, mastery of the environment and purposeful life. The results showed that romantic loneliness was not related to overall psychological well-being (p-value <.05). Romantic loneliness was only related to one of the components of well-being, i.e., the autonomy component (p-value <.05), which has a negative direction and shows that the level of autonomy decreases with the increase of romantic loneliness.

Figure 1 shows the model in the form of standardized path coefficients, with t values in parentheses.

 

Figure 1. Experimental research model in the case of standard path coefficients (and t-value)

 

t values greater than the absolute value of 1.96 in Figure 1 mean that the relationship is confirmed at the 95% confidence level (p-value<.05). Based on this, the effect of celibacy on romantic loneliness and psychological well-being was confirmed, but the effect of romantic loneliness on psychological well-being was not confirmed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion & Conclusion

The results showed that romantic loneliness does not play a mediating role in the relationship between celibacy and psychological well-being. It can be said that, choosing to be alone nowadays expresses independence, individualism and wide freedom to choose people. Also, in explaining the reasons for possible disapproval of the hypothesis, one can focus on the role of perceived social support. Although the absence of a love partner can be an important factor in the feeling of loneliness, but in case of perception of environmental support (support of family, friends and important people), psychological well-being is not endangered, and this issue can explain the lack of Confirmation of the present assumption.

Also, the type of research sample and the number of people in the sample is another reason that can be put forward to disconfirm the present assumption.In the city of Tehran, due to the greater possibility of an independent life, unmarried girls have more independence and individualism, and are receptive to loneliness and the phenomenon of celibacy, and have the necessary preparation for a single life, and this case can also be another reason for disconfirming the main assumption of the research.

Considering that the category of celibacy can be affected by intervening factors such as cultural and family factors, job level and income, and personality characteristics, in this research some of these factors were not investigated, so the ability to generalize reduces. Therefore, it is suggested that in the future researches, the factors influencing the celibacy of girls, including family, cultural and social factors, should also be considered as research variables.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Aanes, M. M., Mittelmark, M. B.,  Hetland, J. (2010). Interpersonal stress and poor health: the mediating role of loneliness. European Psychologist, 15(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000003 [link]
Adamczyk, K. (2015). An Investigation of loneliness and perceived social support among single and partnered young adults. Current Psychology, 35, 674-689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-015-9337-7 [link]
Adamczyk, K. (2017). Voluntary and involuntary singlehood and young adults’ mental health: An Investigation of mediating role of romantic loneliness. Current Psychology, 36, 888–904. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-016-9478-3 [link]
Adamczyk, K., & Segrin, C. (2015). Perceived social support and mental health among single vs. partnered Polish young adults. Current Psychology, 34(1), 82–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-014-9242-5 [link]
Apostolou, M., Sullman, M., Birkás, B., Błachnio, A., Bushina, E., Calvo, F., ... & Font-Mayolas, S. (2023). Mating Performance and Singlehood Across 14 Nations. Evolutionary Psychology, 21(1), 14747049221150169. https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049221150169 [link]
Apostolou,M., Birkás,B., da Silva,C. S. A., Esposito, G., Hsu,R.M.C. S., Jonason, P. K., Karamanidis, K. O. J., Ohtsubo, Y., Putz, Á., Sznycer, D., Thomas, A. G., Valentova, J. V., Varella, M. A. C., Kleisner, K., Flegr, J., & Wang, Y. (2022). Reasons of singles for being single: Evidence from Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, India, Japan and the UK. Cross-Cultural Research, 55(4), 319–350. https://doi.org/10.1177/10693971211021816 [link]
Bartram, D. & Boniwell, I. (2007). The science of happiness: Achieving sustained psychological well-being. Positive Psychology, 29,478-482. https://doi.org/10.1136/inpract.29.8.478 [link]
Beckmeyer, J. J., & Jamison, T. B. (2023). Empowering, pragmatic, or disappointing: appraisals of singlehood during emerging and established adulthood. Emerging Adulthood, 11(1), 103-109. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968221099123 [link]
Bernardon, S., Babb, K. A., Hakim-Larson, J., & Gragg, M. (2011). Loneliness, attachment, and the perception and use of social support in university students. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 43(1), 40–51. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021199 [link]
Braithwaite, S. R., Delevi, R., & Fincham, F. D. (2010). Romantic relationships and the physical and mental health of college students. Personal Relationships, 17(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01248.x [link]
Cacioppo, J. T., Hughes, M. E., Waite, L. J., Hawkley, L. C., & Thisted, R. A. (2006). Loneliness as a specific risk factor for depressive symptoms: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Psychology and Aging, 21(1), 140–151. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.140 [link]
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A Macrotheory of human motivation, Development, and health. Canadian Psychology, 49(3), 182–185. [link]
Ditommaso, E., Brannen-McNulty, C., Ross, L., & Burgess, M. (2003). Attachment styles, social skills and loneliness in young adults. Personality and Individual Difference, 35(2), 303–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(02)00190-3 [link]
Ditommasso, E., Brannen, C., & Best, LA. (2004). Measurement and validity characteristics of the short version of the social and emotional loneliness scale for adults. Educ Psychol Meas, 64(1), 99-119. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164403258450 [link]
Donnelly, D., & Burgess, E. (2008). The decision to remain in an involuntarily celibate relationship. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(2), 519–535. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2008.00498.x [link]
Dykstra, P.A.A., & Jong-Gierveld, J. (2004). Gender and marital-history differences in emotional and social loneliness among Dutch older adults. Canadian Journal on Aging, 23(2), 141-155. doi:10.1353/cja.2004.0018 [link] 
Falahchi, R., & Fallahi, M. (2017). Comparison of mental health, psychological well-being and self-esteem of women and girls in Shiraz. Women and Family Studies, 9(34), 143-166. (text in persian)[link]
Fletcher, G. J., Simpson, J. A., Campbell, L., & Overall, N. C. (2015). Pair-bonding, romantic love, and evolution: The curious case of Homo sapiens. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10, 20–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614561683 [link]
Hamrang Yoosefi, KH. (2007). A study of life experience, singleness, girls 35-45 years old, Tehran. [Thesis of the Master of Sociology, unpublished]. Al-Zahra University. (Text in persian)
Heydari Zargoosh, M., & Najafi, E. (2018). Sociological analysis of definite celibacy of Iranian youth, [Paper presentation]. 4th International Conference on Psychology of Educational Sciences and Social Studies. Tehran. (text in persian) https://civilica.com/doc/662898/ [link]
Howitt, D., & Cramer, D. (2005). Introduction to SPSS in Psychology, Translated by Pasha Sharifi, H., Najafizand, J., Mirhashemi, M., Sharifi, N., and Manavipour, D. (2010), Tehran: Sokhan. (Text in persian)
Iacobucci, D. (2010). Structural equations modeling: Fit Indices, sample size, and advanced topics. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 20(1), 90–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2009.09.003 [link]
Jakobsson, U., & Hallberg, I. R. (2005). Loneliness, fear, and guilty of life among elderly in Sweden: a gender perspective. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 17(6), 494–501. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327417 [link]
Jowkar, B., & Salimi, A. (2012). Psychometric properties of the short form of the social and emotional loneliness scale for adults (SELSA-S). International Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 5(4), 311-317. (text in persian) [link]
Keith, P. (2003). Resources, family ties, and well-being of never-married men and women. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 42(2), 51–75. https://doi.org/10.1300/J083v42n02_05 [link]
Lewis, K. G., & Moon, S. (1998). Always single and single again women: A Qualitative study. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 23(2), 115–134. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.1997.tb00238.x [link]
Liu, H., Elliott, S., & Umberson. D. J. (2010). Marriage in Young Adulthood. In J. E. Grant & M. N. Potenza (Eds). Young adult mental health (pp. 169–180). Oxford University Press. [link]
Menelaos, A., Irene, P., & Polyxeni, G. (2019). Are people single by choice? Involuntary singlehood in an evolutionary perspective. Evolutionary Psychological Science,  5, 98–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-018-0169-1 [link]
Morris, W. L., & Osburn, B. K. (2016). Do you take this marriage? Perceived choice over marital status affects the stereotypes of single and married people. In K. Adamczyk (Ed.), Singlehood from individual and social perspectives (pp. 145–162). Wydawnictwo Filip Lohner. [link]
Reynolds, J., Wetherell, M., & Taylor, S. (2007). Choice and chance: Negotiating agency in narratives of singleness. The Sociological Review, 55(2), 331–351. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954X.2007.00708.x [link]
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality & Social psychology, 57 (6), 1069-1081. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069 [link]
Shahanavaz, S., Azam azadeh, M. (2018). A Meta-synthesis of singleness studies in Iran. Women's Studies Sociological and Psychological, 16(4), 43-78. (Text in persian)  
Sharafoddin, S. (2018). Reflection on the issue of unmarried women in Iran. Islamic Studies of Social Harms, 1(1), 21-44. (Text in persian) doi: 10.22051/jwsps.2019.22028.1823 [link]
Shokri, O., Shahraray, M., Daneshpour, Z., & Dastjerdi, R. (2007). Individual differences in identity styles and academic performance: The Role of commitment and psychological well-being. Reserch in Psychological Health, 1(1), 16-29. (text in persian) [link]
Statistics Center of Iran. (2018). General results of the general population and housing census 2016, Tehran: Office of the department of public relations and international cooperation. Avalable: https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/News/1398/n-koli95.pdf (text in persian) [link]
Stickley, A., Koyanagi, A., Leinsalu, M., Ferlander, S., Sabawoond, W., & McKee, M. (2015). Loneliness and health in Eastern Europe: findings from Moscow, Russia. Public Health, 129(4), 403–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2014.12.021 [link]
Whitton, S. W., & Kuryluk, A. D. (2014). Associations between relationship quality and depressive symptoms in same-sex couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 28(4), 571–576. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/fam0000011[link]
Whitton, S. W., Godfrey, L. M., Crosby, S., & Newcomb, M. E. (2020). Romantic involvement and mental health in sexual and gender minority emerging adults assigned female at birth. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37(4), 1340–1361. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407519898000 [link]
Journal of Woman and Family Studies
Volume 12, Issue 1 - Serial Number 32
March 2024
Pages 112-134