Psychometric and Validity Evidence of the Fear of Being Single Scale

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 confi rmed 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 signifi cant 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. Keywords:Fear of being single, scale, psychometric evidence. Medo de Ficar Solteiro: Evidências Psicométricas e de Validade de uma MedidaResumo O medo de fi car 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 confi rmou a estrutura por meio de uma AFC, com

The Polish adaptation and further validation of the Fear of Being Single Scale (FBSS)

“…This pattern of results once again suggests that involuntary singlehood, when perceived by an individual as beyond his or her own choice, may be related to more negative outcomes, including fear of being single, than voluntary singlehood seen as a result of one's own decision (author citation; Reynolds et al 2007). In turn, the pattern of gender differences revealed by the present study was fully consistent with the findings obtained by da Fonseca and colleagues (da Fonseca et al 2017) in their study on the Brazilian version of the FBSS. The higher level of fear of being single reported by women may be, in turn, explained in reference to prior studies showing for instance that relationship status is a more important issue for young women's than for young men's emotional well-being (Simon and Barrett 2010).…”

“…The desire to achieve these objectives arose from the empirically evidenced theoretical meaningfulness of fear of being single as Ban important, unique predictor of romantic outcomes^ (Spielmann et al 2016, p. 806). In addition, we were encouraged to elaborate the Polish adaptation of the FBSS due to the fact thatto the best of their knowledgethus far there existed only one non-English version of the FBSS, i.e., the Brazilian adaptation of the FBSS developed by da Fonseca et al (2017). Being the second investigation aimed at developing and validating a non-English version of the FBSS, the current study would therefore contribute to further assessment of the validity of the FBSS.…”

“…The present study also analyzed gender differences in regard to fear of being single, driven by the suggestions that marriage and romantic relationships may operate differently for women and for men (e.g., Wadsworth 2016) and that different meanings of partner status held by women and men may be related to different singlehood consequences for women and men (e.g., Keith 2003). Moreover, in the study aimed at developing the Brazilian version of the FBSS, gender differences were also examined, and the patterns of these differences indicated higher levels of fear of being single among women than among men (da Fonseca et al 2017); c) the assessment of the concurrent validity of the Polish FBSS. In literature, the concurrent validity is indicated to B[…] focus on the extent to which scores on a new measure are related to scores from a criterion measure administered at the same time […]^ (Mislevy and Rupp 2010, p. 209).…”

Validating the Turkish Adaptation of the Fear of Being Single Scale

“…We expected to obtain a reliable and valid tool. To examine the divergent validity, we employed the variables (i.e., generalized anxiety, attachment anxiety, and personality traits) in parallel with the previous studies (Adamczyk et al, 2021;Fonseca et al, 2017;Spielmann et al, 2013). To test the convergent validity, we used two additional variables (i.e., the need to belong and the inclusion of others into self).…”

Social network pressure on women and men to enter a romantic relationship and fear of being single

“…Spielmann et al (2013) developed a six-item scale to measure the construct, with such items as, "As I get older, it will become harder and harder to find someone." The scale has been shown to have excellent validity and reliability (Adamczyk et al, 2021;Fonseca, Gouveia, Santos, Couto, & Coelho, 2017;Spielmann et al, 2013), and is associated with, but distinct from, other psychological dispositions such as attachment anxiety (Spielmann et al, 2013;Spielmann, Maxwell, MacDonald, Peragine, & Impett, 2020). Young women may be especially prone to FOBS for the same cultural, normative, biological, and structural reasons discussed above that could lead members of their close ties to push them to find a partner.…”