The researchers investigated how individuals who experience chronic loneliness may alter their perception of what it means to be close to another person in order to cope with being alone. They examined this question through a series of experiments that utilized both behavioral and self-report measures to determine if there is indeed an association between feelings of loneliness and expectations for closeness in future romantic partnerships.
Behavioral Measures
In the first experiment, participants were asked to complete a measure of loneliness prior to engaging in a simulated dating task where they interacted with a virtual partner who displayed varying levels of warmth and coldness during interactions. After each interaction, participants reported on how much they felt connected to the partner and whether they would like to see them again. The results revealed that those who scored higher on loneliness perceived more connection with the partner when they received greater warmth, but less so when they received less warmth. This suggests that individuals who experience loneliness are more likely to seek out relationships with others who can provide a sense of emotional support.
Self-Report Measures
In the second experiment, participants completed a questionnaire assessing how lonely they feel before reading vignettes about hypothetical relationships. Following these, they responded to questions regarding what characteristics they found important in potential romantic partners. Those who reported feeling more lonely tended to value traits such as reliability, kindness, and empathy above physical attractiveness, suggesting that they prioritize qualities related to emotional intimacy over superficial attributes.
Discussion
The findings from these experiments suggest that repeated experiences of loneliness may lead individuals to alter their definition of what it means to be close to another person. Specifically, those who feel lonely may place increased importance on shared values or emotional connections rather than surface-level features when seeking out romantic partnerships. This could have implications for future research investigating the effects of chronic loneliness on relationship satisfaction and stability.
Clinicians may use this information to tailor interventions aimed at helping individuals cope with feelings of isolation by emphasizing emotional closeness and intimacy in therapy sessions.
How do repeated experiences of loneliness change expectations for closeness in future relationships?
Loneliness can have long-term effects on people's perception of closeness in future relationships. Repeated experiences of loneliness may lead individuals to develop negative beliefs about their ability to form meaningful connections with others. They may become cynical about the possibility of finding someone who truly understands them and accepts them as they are. This can result in a reluctance to pursue new relationships or trusting others, leading to further feelings of isolation.