Relationships on a Pedestal: The Associations Between Relationship Pedestal Beliefs, Fear of Being Single, and Life Satisfaction in Single and Coupled Individuals.

The fear of being single can put people at risk for worse personal and relational well-being. The current research moves beyond individual-deficit models by exploring whether endorsement of relationship pedestal beliefs-the belief that people need to be in a relationship to be truly happy-is associated with greater fear of being single. Across four studies (N = 641 single individuals and 256 coupled individuals), single individuals' endorsement of relationship pedestal beliefs was associated with greater fear of being single, and greater fear of being single was associated with lower daily life satisfaction (Studies 1-4). Coupled individuals' endorsement of relationship pedestal beliefs was also associated with greater fear of being single, and greater fear of being single was associated with lower daily life and relationship satisfaction (Study 4). These findings highlight how people's endorsement of societal beliefs that place relationships on a pedestal may contribute to fears about singlehood.

The Chinese adaptation and validation of the Fear of Being Single Scale for college students.

The Fear of Being Single Scale (FOBS) is a widely used measure of the fear of being single, but its applicability to Chinese populations has not been established. This study aimed to translate the FOBS into Chinese and examine its psychometric properties among Chinese college students. The study consisted of three phases with three samples (total n = 1768). In the first phase (Sample 1: n = 571), an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) supported a unidimensional structure with 6 items for the Chinese version of the FOBS (C-FOBS). In the second phase (Sample 2: n = 692), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the factor structure and indicated good model fit. The C-FOBS also demonstrated good internal consistency, split-half reliability, criterion validity, and cross-gender invariance. In the third phase (Sample 3: n = 505), the C-FOBS showed acceptable test-retest reliability over a two-week interval. The results suggest that the C-FOBS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the fear of being single among Chinese college students.

Feelings toward lying flatism and attitudes toward singlehood: the mediating role of happiness belief.

BACKGROUND: Lying flatism, a new emerging lifestyle by refusing to participate in consumerist lifestyles, is anticipated to be related to singlehood. Based on the Theory of Reasoned Action, we proposed a mediation model to examine the indirect relationship between feelings towards lying flatism and attitudes toward singlehood via individuals' belief in that happiness can be achieved without romantic relationships (happiness belief). METHODS: Using purposive and snowball sampling methods, 232 single Malaysian young adults participated in an online experiment consisting of a writing task (to manipulate feelings toward lying flatism), single-item measures of manipulation checking and happiness belief, Attitudes toward Singlehood Scale, Negative Stereotyping of Single Persons Scale (a measure of singlism) and Fear of Being Single Scale. RESULTS: T-Test results support the writing task that successfully induced positive feelings toward lying flatism. Mediation analysis showed that the feelings toward lying flatism measured before the writing task, but not the manipulation of lying flatism, has an indirect relationship with attitudes toward singlehood via happiness belief, after controlling for gender, singlism, and fear of being single. CONCLUSIONS: The findings offer preliminary support to the hypothetical relationships among feelings towards lying flatism, happiness belief, and attitudes toward singlehood. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Detectability and desirability of fear of being single in online dating profiles.

OBJECTIVE: Those who fear being single generally do not have difficulty attracting prospective partners. The present research explores whether this is because daters cannot detect fear of being single, or because detected fear of being single does not hinder desirability. METHOD: In Study 1 (N = 235, 60% women, Mage  = 36.9), participants created dating profiles then rated the desirability of profiles depicting high versus low fear of being single (high narcissism control). In Study 2 (N = 176, 69% women, Mage  = 21.4), participants evaluated fear of being single and desirability of actual profiles. RESULTS: Differences in fear of being single were detectable. Furthermore, detecting higher fear of being single predicted lower romantic desirability. Desirability ratings were due, in part, to estimating lower physical attractiveness (Study 2). Perceivers' own fear of being single moderated effects, such that those higher in fear of being single were not deterred by higher fear of being single. CONCLUSIONS: Fear of being single may be detectable when online dating, but desirability of detected fear of being single varies depending on perceiver traits and may be driven in part by misperceptions of physical attractiveness. This research sheds light on challenges for those who fear being single as they attempt to attract mates.

Medo de Ficar Solteiro: Evidências Psicométricas e de Validade de uma Medida / Miedo a Estar Sola: Evidencias Psicométricas y de Validez de una Medida / Psychometric and Validity Evidence of the Fear of Being Single Scale

Resumo O medo de ficar solteiro pode ocasionar alterações na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos, podendo afetar o bem-estar e a autoestima. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo validar a Escala Medo de Ficar Solteiro (EMFS) para o Brasil, apresentando evidências de sua qualidade psicométrica por meio de dois estudos. Estudo 1 contou com 172 participantes (Idade M = 23,69, DP = 7,77; 64,5% mulheres) e reproduziu a estrutura unifatorial do modelo original, com seis itens. O Estudo 2 contou com 220 participantes (Idade M = 21,90, DP = 5,64; 59,5% mulheres) e confirmou a estrutura por meio de uma AFC, com índices satisfatórios (CFI = 0,96; TLI = 0,94), além de fornecer evidência quanto a invariância fatorial do instrumento em relação ao status de relacionamento dos participantes. Adicionalmente, apresentou-se validade convergente por meio de correlações significativas com solidão e escore de satisfação com a vida, além de ter sido observada diferença entre homens e mulheres quanto ao medo de ficar solteiro. Por fim, a medida apresentou índices adequados de confiabilidade (alfa de Cronbach, α = 0,88) e confiabilidade composta (CC = 0,82). Concluindo, a medida apresentou evidências satisfatórias para o seu uso no contexto brasileiro.

Resumen El miedo a estar soltero puede conducir a modificaciones en la calidad de vida de los individuos, que pueden afectar su bienestar y autoestima. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo validar la Escala Miedo a Estar Soltero (EMES) en Brasil, presentando evidencias de su calidad psicométrica a través de dos estudios. Estudio 1 contó con 172 participantes (Edad M = 23.69, DE = 7,77; 64,5% mujeres) y se replica la estrutura unifactorial del instrumento, con seis ítems. Estudio contó con 220 participantes (Edad M = 21.90, DE = 5,6; 59,5% mujeres) y confirmó la estructura mediante una AFC, con índices satisfactorios (CFI = .96; TLI = .94), y proporcionó evidencia de la invariancia factorial del instrumento, en relación al estado de relacionamento dos Participantes. Además, sí presenta validez convergente a través de correlaciones significativas con la soledad y la pontuación de satisfacción con la vida, y se ha observado diferencia entre hombres y mujeres cuando el miedo a estar soltero. Por último, la medida mostró niveles adecuados de fiabilidad (alfa de Cronbach, α= 0,88) y fiabilidad compuesta (CC = 0,82). En conclusión, la medida presenta pruebas satisfactorias para su uso en el contexto brasileño.

Abstract The fear of being single can lead to changes in the quality of life of individuals, which may affect their well-being and self-esteem. This research aimed to validate the Fear of Being Single Scale (FBSS) for Brazil, presenting evidence of its psychometric quality through two studies. Study 1 had 172 participants (Age M = 23.69, SD = 7.77; 64.5% women) and replicated the one-factor structure of the instrument, with six items. Study 2 had 220 participants (Age M = 21.90, SD = 5.64; 59.5% women) and confirmed the structure using a CFA, with satisfactory indices (CFI = .96; TLI = .94), and provided evidence for the factorial invariance of the instrument, in relation to participants' relationship status. Additionally, convergent validity was presented through significant correlations with loneliness and life satisfaction scores, and a difference was also observed between men and women regarding the fear of being single. Finally, the scale showed adequate levels of reliability (Cronbach's alpha, α = 0.88) and composite reliability (CR = 0.82). In conclusion, the scale presented satisfactory evidence for its use in a Brazilian context.