Singlehood and attunement of self-esteem to friendships
Date
2021
Authors
Fisher, Alexandra N.
Stinson, D.A.
Wood, J.V.
Holmes, J.G.
Cameron, J.J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Social Psychological Personality Science
Abstract
Romantic relationships activate a process of psychological attunement whereby self-esteem becomes responsive to the romantic
bond, thereby potentially benefitting relationship quality and bolstering self-esteem. Yet some people are romantically single,
raising the question: Do single people also exhibit psychological attunement? In a 2-year longitudinal study of young adults
(N = 279), we test whether singles psychologically attune to their friendships. Multilevel modeling revealed that within-person
fluctuations in friendship quality predicted within-person fluctuations in self-esteem, and this association was stronger for singles
than for partnered people. A cross-sectional mediation analysis also revealed that singles invested more in their friendships than
partnered people, and greater friendship investment predicted greater friendship quality and self-esteem later on. Finally, singles
maintain their friendship quality over time while partnered people experience declines. Taken together, these results suggest
that singles are psychologically attuned to their friendships, and such attunement may benefit their belongingness and self-esteem.
Description
Keywords
self-esteem, friendship, social support, interpersonal processes, interpersonal relationships, longitudinal methodology, belonging, single people, relationships, self-concept
Citation
Fisher, A.N., Stinson, D.A., Wood, J.V., Holmes, J.G., Cameron, J.J. (2021). Singlehood and attunement of self-esteem to friendships. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620988460