Settling down without settling: Perceived changes in partner preferences in response to COVID-19

The goal of this study was to explore the positive association between concern related to COVID-19 and single individuals’ perceived changes to their partner preferences. In addition, we investigated the mediating role of fear of being single. Results indicated that people with greater COVID-19 conc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social and personal relationships 2021-06, Vol.38 (6), p.1901-1919
Main Authors: Alexopoulos, Cassandra, Timmermans, Elisabeth, Sharabi, Liesel L., Roaché, David J., Croft, Alyssa, Hall, Elizabeth Dorrance, James-Hawkins, Laurie, Lamarche, Veronica, Uhlich, Maximiliane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Families & family life
Fear & phobias
Mate selection
Perceived changes
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Summary:The goal of this study was to explore the positive association between concern related to COVID-19 and single individuals’ perceived changes to their partner preferences. In addition, we investigated the mediating role of fear of being single. Results indicated that people with greater COVID-19 concern perceived an increase in the importance of stability, family commitment, and physical/social attractiveness, as well as fear of being single. Fear of being single only negatively predicted the importance of physical/social attractiveness, whereas it positively predicted the importance of stability and family commitment. Thus, in most cases, people with a greater concern for COVID-19 perceived themselves to become more selective, even when they exhibit higher levels of fear of being single.
ISSN:0265-4075
1460-3608
DOI:10.1177/02654075211011527