Loneliness and relationship dispositions in emerging adults: Gender and culture as moderators

Prior research has provided evidence of the link between loneliness and number past sexual partners—suggesting role short-term intimate connections as a strategy to fulfill belongingness needs. The current study examined whether increased was associated with tendencies engage in (sociosexuality) romantic (emophilia) relationships sample 319 Malaysian emerging adults. We also tested these associations varied by gender cultural orientation. Findings from cross-sectional survey revealed that lonelier individuals generally reported higher emophilia. positive association sociosexuality, however, only present among those who were high vertical individualism (i.e., socialized construe themselves independent different others). Gender did not moderate either associations. These results suggest loneliness-driven may be less readily manifested populations are more sexually conservative. Our findings highlight importance considering differences at individual level addition overall context when examining relationship tendencies.