The Mediating Role of Romantic Desolation and Dating Anxiety in the Association Between Interpersonal Competence and Life Satisfaction Among Polish Young Adults

Abstract

This study investigates the role of romantic desolation on life satisfaction in young adulthood. Using data from a Polish sample of 330 (205 females and 125 males) young adults aged 20–30, who completed Polish versions of the Satisfaction With Life Scale, Dating Anxiety Scale, Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire-Revised, and Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults-Short Form, romantic desolation (romantic loneliness and lack of a romantic partner) and dating anxiety were tested as mediators of the association between interpersonal competence and life satisfaction. Results revealed that single individuals reported lower life satisfaction and higher romantic loneliness than did partnered individuals. At the same time, no differences emerged between single and partnered individuals in dating anxiety or interpersonal competence. Structural equation modeling results showed that low interpersonal competence has an indirect effect on romantic desolation through higher levels of dating anxiety. Also, dating anxiety had an indirect effect on lower life satisfaction through increased romantic desolation. These results highlight the important role of dating anxiety and romantic desolation for explaining why low interpersonal competence is associated with diminished life satisfaction in young adults.

A Developmental Perspective on Young Adult Romantic Relationships: Examining Family and Individual Factors in Adolescence

“…Indeed, the development of romantic relationships is viewed as a central developmental task for young adults (Shulman and Connolly 2013). Young adults who are able to successfully establish and maintain positive intimate relationships tend to be more satisfied with their lives and better adjusted well into later life (e.g., Adamczyk and Segrin 2016; Roisman et al 2004). Beyond psychological adjustment, the experiences in young adult romantic relationships set the foundation for later relationship success and child caregiving quality after the transition to parenthood (Feinberg 2002; Fincham and Cui 2011).…”

Interpersonal Competence as a Predictor of Life Satisfaction among University Students

“…In the study, it was determined that interpersonal competence significantly predicts life satisfaction. It is observed that studies supporting this finding (Adamczyk and Segrin, 2016;Shaving, Yakıcı, and Baltacı, 2020) were conducted in the literature. Interpersonal competence is an important variable in terms of an individual's adjustment and psychological well-being (Kim et al, 2008).…”

Fear of Rejecting Others: An Overlooked Construct in Dating Anxiety

“…DFNE was assessed in this study by using the Fear of Negative Evaluation subscale of the Dating Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (DAS-A; Glickman & La Greca, 2004). The DAS-A, a measure of dating anxiety comprised of three subscales assessing pertinent dating and social-evaluative distress (i.e., Fear of Negative Evaluation, Social Distress-Dating, and Social Distress-Group), was initially designed to measure dating anxiety in individuals aged 15-18 years old, and researchers have demonstrated its validity in assessing dating anxiety in young adult populations ranging from 20 to 30 years of age (Adamczyk, 2015;Adamczyk & Segrin, 2016). Given the established appropriateness in using the DAS-A for young adults, the DAS-A, particularly its Fear of Negative Evaluation subscale, was considered to be suitable for measuring DFNE in target population range (i.e., graduate psychology students at least 18 years old).…”