Nov 26 Flashcards

1
Q

setup: meta-analysis of 148 studies assessing mortality as a function of social…

A

relationships

ie. having social support, marital status, integration of social networks

Ps from NA, Eu, Asia & Aus

Ps followed on average for 7.5 years

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2
Q

results: meta-analysis of 148 studies assessing mortality as a function of social…

A

average effect size OR odds ration = 1.50

50% increased likelihood of survival as a function of stronger social relationships

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3
Q

social relationships had HIGHER effect size on mortality than…

A

physical activity (controlling for adiposity)

drug treatment for hypertension

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4
Q

social relationships had EQUAL effect size to…

A

smoking cessation

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5
Q

results of social relationships x mortality meta-analysis HELD…

A

across age, sex, initial health status, follow-up period, and cause of death

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6
Q

many early epidemiological studies focused on what types of measures?

A

objective measures of social isolation

frequently operationalized being unmarried, living alone, infrequent contact with family & friends, not participating in organizations/clubs/religious groups

BUT being alone =/= feeling alone

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7
Q

loneliness

A

SUBJECTIVE feeling of social isolation

discrepancy between DESIRED and ACTUAL levels of social contact

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8
Q

social loneliness

A

dissatisfaction with SIZE of social network

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9
Q

emotional loneliness

A

lacking SUPPORT & AFFECTION

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10
Q

what type of loneliness is associated with poorer psychological health?

A

emotional loneliness

(rather than social loneliness)

associated with MDD, GAD

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11
Q

what suggests that the two constructs of loneliness are dissociable?

A

(social and emotional loneliness)

results that emotional loneliness alone is linked to MDD and GAD

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12
Q

loneliness is linked to what?

A
  1. increased ALL CAUSE MORTALITY risk
  2. negative PHYSICAL HEALTH outcomes

a) coronary heart disease & stroke

b) cognitive decline & dementia

c) decreased immunity

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13
Q

loneliness & cold symptoms study setup

A

experimental study

  1. healthy Ps completed measures of:

a) loneliness
b) objective social isolation (social network size)

  1. administered nasal drops containing a common cold virus, and quarantined for 5 days
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14
Q

loneliness & cold symptoms results

A

loneliness (but not objective social isolation) predicted greater cold symptoms

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15
Q

marital quality & health outcomes

A

low marital quality is linked to heightened mortality risk & negative health outcomes

  1. worse SELF RATED health
  2. CARDIOVASCULAR disease and METABOLIC SYNDROME

^ cluster of CVD risk factors - high BP, insulin resistance

  1. PEPTIC ULCERS
  2. SLOWER RECOVERY post-surgery
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16
Q

social control hypothesis

A

interactions with family and friends motivate healthier behaviours

ie. being married associated with engaging in health-promoting behaviours like exercise whereas loneliness predicts physical inactivity

BUT associations between relationships and health persist even when controlling for (un)healthy behaviours

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17
Q

when dealing with social stressors/lacking social support, may rely on…

A

unhealthy coping strategies

ie. drinking, drug use

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18
Q

association between relationships & health persists even…

A

when controlling for (un)healthy behaviours

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19
Q

2 models of social support

A
  1. stress buffering model
  2. main effects model
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20
Q

stress buffering model

A

close relationships PROTECT health by buffering (mitigating) the effects of external stressors

ie. perceived support & hugs received over 2 weeks before virus exposure buffers against rise in infection risk associated with interpersonal conflict

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21
Q

main effects model

A

close relationships exert DIRECT effect on health outcomes regardless of levels of external stress

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22
Q

are both models of social support likely to play a role in associated between relationships and health?

A

yes

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23
Q

physiological mechanisms behind link between social support and health

A

presence or absence of positive social connection may DIRECTLY tap into the PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS that shape health and disease

  1. ANS
  2. HPA axis
  3. immune system

^ these systems help maintain body’s HOMEOSTATIC BALANCE in the face of internal/external challenges (stressors)

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24
Q

what do the ANS, HPA axis and immune system do, on a broad level?

A

help maintain body’s HOMEOSTATIC BALANCE

in face of internal/external challenges (stressors)

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25
Q

stressor

A

anything that knocks (or threatens to knock) homeostasis out of balance

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26
Q

ANS

A

division of the NS that carries INVOLUNTARY COMMANDS to your:

a) organs
b) blood vessels
c) glands

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27
Q

2 branches of the ANS

A
  1. sympathetic NS

^ energy mobilization, “fight or flight”

  1. parasympathetic NS

^ energy conservation, “rest and digest”

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28
Q

HPA axis

A

cascade of events that culminates in release of hormone CORTISOL from adrenal glands

^ mobilizes GLUCOSE reserves for energy

^ increases CONVERSION of proteins/fats

^ increases BLOOD PRESSURE ensuring adequate blood flow

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29
Q

immune system

A

DETECTS and ELIMINATES harmful invaders like bacterial/viral pathogens

also detects/responds to TISSUE DAMAGE

highly complex, several components

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30
Q

2 important components of the immune system

A
  1. INFLAMMATORY: rapid, NONSPECIFIC immune defence against infection and tissue damage
  2. ANTIVIRAL: more specific response tailored to viruses
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31
Q

inflammatory response

A

orchestrated by chemical messengers called PRO-INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES

trigger set of PHYSIOLOGICAL and BEHAVIOURAL changes

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32
Q

physiological changes set off by inflammatory response

A

increasing blood flow to infected tissues

increasing blood vessel permeability

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33
Q

behavioural changes set off by inflammatory response

A

behavioural changes that promote survival and recovery

^ SICKNESS BEHAVIOURS

sleepiness, lethargy, withdrawal, reduction in various kinds of activity (exploration, social, sexual)

sickness behaviours help by CONSERVING ENERGY

may also reduce risk of PREDATION/ATTACK while vulnerable

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34
Q

why might social factors like loneliness or connection influence systems designed to deal with physical threats? (immune system)

A

responses to challenges are PROACTIVE, not simply reactive - they ANTICIPATE/PREPARE for potential threats

^ earlier response facilitates adaptive coping

IMMUNE SYSTEM TALKS TO THE BRAIN TO GATHER INFO ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS & EXPECTED THREATS

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35
Q

social disconnect poses risk to…

A

survival

increased risk of predation, wounding, infection

^ so if social connection is ended, bodies may mount pre-empted stress response

may response by up-regulating pro-inflammatory activity

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36
Q

social disconnection = up-regulation of what and down-regulation of what?

A

up-regulation of pro-inflammatory activity

down-regulation of anti-rival response

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37
Q

among older adults, both objective social isolation and feelings of loneliness predict…

A
  1. higher levels of pro-inflammatory activity
  2. decreased anti-viral response
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38
Q

examples of social stressors being linked to greater inflammation

A
  1. CHILDREN (<8 years old) exposed to social stressors (parental separation, abuse) show elevated markers of inflammation 2 and 7 years later
  2. ADOLESCENTS who report having more negative social interactions with friends and family (ie. rejection) showed higher levels of inflammatory activity
  3. COLLEGE students who reported experiencing more negative/competitive social interactions on daily basis showed higher levels of inflammation
  4. OLDER adults who recently lost a spouse had 1.5 x levels of inflammatory activity than controls
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39
Q

other markers of physiological stress that feelings of loneliness are related to

A

elevated cortisol

increased BP

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40
Q

lab social stressor test

A

Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)

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41
Q

Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)

A

combines elements of UNCONTROLLABILITY and SOCIAL EVALUATION

situation where you can be negatively judged by others

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42
Q

Ps who completed TSST in front of an evaluative panel…

A

(versus a control non-social evaluative condition)

  1. showed LARGER INCREASES pre- and post-test in…

a) cortisol
b) pro-inflammatory activity

  1. showed DECREASED SENSITIVITY to…

a) suppressive effects of glucocorticoids

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43
Q

what happened to sensitivity to _________ in TSST evaluative panel condition?

A

sensitivity to glucocorticoids decreased

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44
Q

Ps who show more social pain-related neural activity to social exclusion…

A

ie. Cyberball

showed larger increases in inflammation following TSST

45
Q

after conflict discussions in couples, what happens to inflammation?

A

increase in systemic inflammation in HIGH HOSTILITY COUPLES

but no increase in low hostility couples

46
Q

current experiences and history of social support affect…

A

MAGNITUDE of physiological responses to stressors

ie preparing with romantic partner or receiving written supportive messages from partners buffered cortisol response to the TSST

47
Q

what types of individuals show stronger cortisol responses during lab stressor?

A

avoidantly attached and anxiously attached ones

48
Q

social factors may also impact the way we _____ about potential stressors…

A

THINK

which in turn influences the stress response

COGNITION plays role in triggering, amplifying, and reducing stress response

49
Q

cognition’s role: we’re most reactive to stressors when…

A

we perceive them as:

a. UNCONTROLLABLE

b. exceeding our COPING CAPABILITIES

50
Q

how do securely attached individuals learn that stressors are manageable?

A

through history of positive interactions with caregivers

learn they’re CAPABLE and that others can be RELIED ON

51
Q

current and former social interactions influence ________ _______ _________

A

social threat detection

52
Q

loneliness is associated with _________ threat vigilance

A

heightened

ie. modified emotional Stroop task - lonely participants showed greater Stroop INTERFERENCE specifically for NEGATIVE SOCIAL relative to negative nonsocial words

53
Q

anxiously attached individuals exhibit readiness to perceive…

A

THREAT & have high ACCESS to threat-related cognitions

EVEN IN POSITIVE CONTEXTS

ie. exhibit higher levels of cortisol and lower levels of heart rate variability when asked to imagine being cared for by another person

54
Q

anxiously attached individuals exhibit what when being asked to imagine being cared for by another person?

A

higher CORTISOL

low HEART RATE VARIABILITY

55
Q

experimental inflammatory challenge: administration of bacterial toxin…

A

administration of bacterial toxin (endotoxin) that triggers an immune response

  1. increases in:
    a) DEPRESSED MOOD
    b) feelings of SOCIAL DISCONNECTION
    c) SENSITIVITY
    d) LONELINESS
  2. greater NEURAL REACTIVITY in PAIN/THREAT related areas in response to social evaluation & threatening social faces
  3. but ALSO increased neural reactivity in REWARD-related brain regions in response to SOCIAL REWARDS but NOT NON SOCIAL rewards
  4. also greater DESIRE to be close to others
56
Q

larger increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines = what in terms of neural reactivity?

A

greater neural reactivity

ie. endotoxin administration leads to greater neural reactivity in both PAIN/THREAT related areas and in REWARD related areas

in PAIN/THREAT areas

and in REWARD areas in response to SOCIAL REWARDS but not non-social rewards

57
Q

endotoxin administration results in greater activity in reward related brain areas under what circumstancese?

A

in response to social rewards

^ ie. pics of loved ones, positive social feedback

but NOT non-social rewards

^ ie. money

(because it’s adaptive to be oriented to close others when vulnerable/sick)

58
Q

tying it all together

A

relationships matter for our health

QUALITY may be more important than quantity

likely due to combo of intertwined behavioural, cognitive, physiological factors

general theme: feelings of loneliness/social connection put us in “self-preservation mode”

59
Q

feelings of loneliness/social disconnection put us in “self-preservation” mode

A
  1. heightened ANS activity
  2. altered immune gene expression & increased inflammation
  3. hyper-vigilance for social threat
  4. poorer sleep (because higher vigilance)
  5. depressive symptoms, reduced social exploration
60
Q

global trends in singlehood

A

single-hood rates = on the rise globally

as more people are DELAYING entering romantic relationships to focus on other life goals

divorce is increasingly common

61
Q

why is it becoming more common to enter committed relationships at later ages?

A
  1. younger generations’ VIEWS ON MARRIAGE and settling down are shifting
  2. HIGHER EDUCATION and CAREER goals before starting family
62
Q

alternatives to traditional parenting

A

(contributing factor to decreasing marriage rates)

solo parenting

freezing eggs

63
Q

single-hood in Canada

A
  1. delaying entering committed relationships
  2. rates of living alone, while still low, have doubled in 40 years
64
Q

single-hood in Canada: delaying entering committed relationships

A

1981:

^ 30% of people aged 25-29 were single

2021:

^ 60% of people aged 25-29 were single

65
Q

single-hood in Canada: rates of living alone, while will low, have ______ in 40 years

A

doubled

1981:

^ 5% of people aged 35-44 reported living alone

2021:

^ 10% of people aged 35-44 reported living alone

66
Q

decades of research suggests that individuals in romantic relationships are…

A

HAPPIER than single individuals

several meta-analyses and longitudinal studies have found that COUPLED PEOPLE report greater WELLBEING and LIFE SATISFACTION compared to single people

67
Q

majority of relationship science centers around…

A

romantic relationships

broad understanding of dynamics within romantic relationships, LIMITED UNDERSTANDING of SINGLEHOOD

68
Q

relationships on a pedestal

A

belief that people need a romantic relationship to be TRULY HAPPY

stems from SOCIETAL ENDORSEMENTS of romantic relationships

69
Q

holding “relationships on a pedestal” beliefs are bad for both…

A

single and coupled individuals

70
Q

issue with romantic relationship vs singlehood comparisons

A

so much VARIABILITY isn’t being accounted for

  1. does marriage LEAD to happiness, or do happy people get married?
  2. are ALL coupled people happier than ALL single people?
  3. WHEN are these studies being administered - during honeymoon phase?
  4. what about married couples who DON’T STAY TGT?
71
Q

divorce is a major predictor of ______ _______…

A

poor wellbeing

with some studies suggesting the consequences COMPLETELY OUTWEIGH the benefits of marriage

72
Q

divorce rate in Canada

A

~40%

73
Q

what’s the number 1 predictor of divorce?

A

getting married

74
Q

legal advantages of marriage

A

ECONOMIC

  1. income tax breaks
  2. automatic spousal inheritance (even without will)
  3. social security benefits

HEALTH

  1. shared access to health insurance
  2. hospital visitation (think COVID)
  3. right to make medical decisions on spouse’s behalf
75
Q

singlism

A

the STEREOTYPING and STIGMATIZING of people who are single, and DISCRIMINATION against them

coined by social psychologist Dr Bella DePaulo

76
Q

singlism manifests through…

A
  1. STRUCTURAL INEQUALITIES
  2. NEGATIVE STEREOTYPING

^ lonely, cold, non-commital

^ HOUSING: perceived as less trustworthy tenant

^ PROMISCUITY: perceived as more likely to carry STI

  1. EXPERIENCING PITY

^ ie. “you’ll find someone soon”

77
Q

singlism can manifest through structural/societal discrimination, but these are also common within…

A

close social networks

78
Q

examples of singlism within close social networks

A
  1. EXCLUSION from social events (double dates, couples’ nights)
  2. PRESSURE to partner/settle down
  3. INTERROGATION about dating life
79
Q

single people who have more coupled friends/family in their close network report…

A

lower wellbeing related to their singlehood

80
Q

contributing factors to fears of single-hood

A

singlism

pressure to couple

structural disadvantages

“marriage will make you happier”

81
Q

fear of being single

A

“the concern, anxiety or distress regarding the current or prospective experience of being without a romantic partner”

for these people, LOW QUALITY relationship > no relationship at all

specific to romantic relationships

82
Q

fear of being single predicts maladaptive behaviours in romantic contexts above…

A

and beyond attachment anxiety

83
Q

fear of being single = strong belief that…

A

a committed romantic relationship is the MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP in adulthood

84
Q

list of reasons why people fear being single

A

intimacy needs

societal pressure

future alone

relationships on a pedestal

attachment anxiety

singlism

loneliness

growing old alone

children and family

85
Q

fear of being single predicts…

A
  1. SETTLING for less in EXISTING romantic relationships
  2. being LESS SELECTIVE when CHOOSING new partner
  3. LONGING for an ex-partner
  4. increased likelihood of INFIDELITY (if think relationship may end, proactive effort to secure new partner)
  5. lower general WELLBEING and neg MH outcomes when un-partnered
86
Q

is an unsatisfying relationship worth it?

A

(people high in fear of being single would rather be in an unfulfilling relationship than be single)

ironically, low quality relationships are LESS LIKELY to meet people’s core psych NEEDS

UNDERMINES benefit of social connections

87
Q

factors that contribute to wellbeing in singlehood

A

INTRAPERSONAL FACTORS

a) age
b) attachment style
c) desire for partner
d) voluntary single-hood
e) gender

INTERPERSONAL FACTORS

a) social support and friendship quality
b) sexual satisfaction

88
Q

age: factor contributing to wellbeing in singlehood

A

satisfaction with singlehood varies across age groups for various reasons:

  1. shifting REASONS for wanting relationship

(ie. YA = common developmental goal, adult = family, companionship)

  1. FERTILITY concerns (esp for women)
  2. AVAILABILITY of potential partners
  3. life PRIORITIES
89
Q

desire for partner across age

A

generally is RELATIVELY HIGH in young adulthood

seems to PEAK around 30-34

after MIDLIFE, desire for relationship DECREASES and satisfaction with singlehood increases

90
Q

attachment avoidance and singlehood

A

likely to experience POOR LIFE OUTCOMES related to singlehood

as they DOWNPLAY need for intimacy

  1. more likely to engage in SOLITARY activities (= less social connections)
  2. SOLITARY COPING strategies and lack of social support
91
Q

attachment avoidance is especially problematic for…

A

older individuals

  1. higher need for social support
  2. post-retirement
92
Q

attachment anxiety and singlehood

A

likely to experience HIGHER FEARS of being single

and to report GREATER DISSATISFACTION with being single

self-fulfilling loop: intense desire for intimacy + maladaptive relational behaviours

93
Q

potential buffer - attachment anxiety and singlehood

A

due to strong desires for intimacy, these people are more likely to have BROAD SOCIAL TIES outside of the romantic domain

94
Q

attachment security and singlehoood

A

likely to report POSITIVE LIFE OUTCOMES

  1. often single due to PERSONAL CHOICE

(not denying themselves intimacy like avoidantly attached people are)

  1. often have BROAD SOCIAL TIEES

^ attachment needs met through close fam/friends

^ stronger non-romantic relationships compared to coupled individuals

95
Q

satisfaction with singlehood vs life satisfaction

A
  1. people high in attachment ANXIETY tend to report:

a) LOWER life satisfaction

b) LOWER satisfaction with singlehood

^ greater desire for partner

  1. SECURE and AVOIDANT individuals report:

a) SIMILAR satisfaction with singlehood

b) but AVOIDANTS report LOWER OVERALL life satisfaction

96
Q

single people with higher desire for partner tend to experience…

A

lower life satisfaction and lower satisfaction with singlehood

  1. interestingly, AGE moderates this

^ OLDER individuals with higher desire for relationship report lower life satisfaction than younger individuals with similar relationship desires

97
Q

what age group of people high in relationship desire report lower life satisfaction with singlehood?

A

older individuals

98
Q

voluntarily single

A

single by choice = greater satisfaction with singlehood

  1. associated with feelings of FREEDOM and AUTONOMY related to singlehood
  2. LESS DESIRE for a partner
  3. typically focused on OTHER life PRIORITIES
99
Q

involuntarily single

A

single because one CAN’T ATTAIN a desired relationship

  1. relationship status is due to EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES/out of their control

(ie. haven’t met right person yet)

  1. difficulties establishing relationships/feeling that one is AT FAULT

(ie. feeling SHY, UGLY, AWKWARD etc)

100
Q

does desire for partner = involuntarily single?

A

no

VOLUNTARILY SINGLE people MAY STILL DESIRE a romantic relationship

but they’re more…

  1. SELECTIVE about relationship goals
  2. voluntarily TURN DOWN unfulfilling prospective partners
  3. choose single status but DON’T REFRAIN from dating activities

^ casual dating, hookups, situationships

  1. relationship CLARITY, benefits of knowing what you want
101
Q

gender and singlehood

A

despite common stereotypes that women are more likely to pine over relationships…

recent research suggests that WOMAN ARE HAPPIER with SINGLEHOOD than men

102
Q

N = 6000 study found that single women reported higher than single men on…

A
  1. satisfaction with relationship status
  2. life satisfaction
  3. sexual satisfaction
  4. less desire for a partner
103
Q

why are women happier with singlehood?

A
  1. women tend to have stronger NON-ROMANTIC SUPPORT
  2. heteronormative INEQUITIEES within heterosexual relationships
104
Q

singlehood: social support and quality of friendships

A

social support is CRITICAL FOR WELLBEING in singlehood

  1. single individuals with HIGH QUALITY FRIENDSHIPS and FAMILY report lower loneliness and higher life satisfaction
  2. single individuals are typically MORE INVESTED in their friendships compared to coupled individuals

a) investment predicts HIGHER QUALITY friendships

b) ESP important for YA, when high quality friendships > self-esteem

105
Q

sexual satisfaction and singlehood

A

singles who are more sexually satisfied (and who desire partnered sexual activity) report greater wellbeing in singlehood

for those high in desire for partnered sex, FREQUENCY is what matters

HIGH frequency of partnered sex = higher wellbeing

LOW frequency of partnered sex = lower wellbeing

106
Q

contrary to stereotypes of single individuals being more promiscuous and sexually active…

A

coupled individuals tend to report having sex MORE FREQUENTLY

and report more SEXUAL SATISFACTION

107
Q

how do singles meet their sexual needs?

A
  1. solitary sex
  2. casual sexual encounters
  3. non-committal relationships (ie. situationships)

but more research is needed

108
Q

singlehood takeaways

A
  1. comparing singles vs coupled people feeds into DEFICIT NARRATIVE of singles
  2. importance of studying WITHIN-GROUP VARIABILITY
  3. relationship status is FLUID (not defining of a person)
  4. single studies - relatively NEW FIELD with lots of exciting new directions