Loneliness in Partner Relationships: A Dyadic Examination of Short- and Long-Term Dynamics
Final Report Abstract
Loneliness arises when individuals perceive a discrepancy between their desired and their actual levels of intimacy and closeness in social relationships. Numerous studies have consistently shown that romantic partnerships are among the most effective protective factors against loneliness. However, recent findings indicate that partnerships can also exacerbate loneliness, for example, as a result of low relationship quality. This project focused on examining interpersonal aspects of loneliness in partnerships over both longer and shorter timeframes, as well as on investigating the measurability of loneliness within the context of partnerships. The results show that loneliness can be perceived with high accuracy by partners, largely independent of the specific measurement method used. Additionally, the project explored modern analytical methods, such as the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model based on Item Response Theory, which hold potential for applications beyond the scope of this project. At the same time, the findings highlight that measuring loneliness in partnerships is a complex phenomenon that requires further research.
Publications
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Would the Real Loneliness Please Stand Up? The Validity of Loneliness Scores and the Reliability of Single-Item Scores. Assessment, 30(4), 1226-1248.
Mund, Marcus; Maes, Marlies; Drewke, Pia M.; Gutzeit, Antonia; Jaki, Isabel & Qualter, Pamela
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Einsamkeit in der Verborgenheit: Accuracy und Bias in der Wahrnehmung von Einsamkeit in Partnerschaften [Conference presentation]. 17. DPPD Fachgruppentagung, Salzburg, Austria.
Mund, M., Drewke, P. M. & Luhmann, M.
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Die Rasch-Type Loneliness Scale auf dem Prüfstand: Eine psychometrische Analyse mittels Item Response Theorie [Conference presentation]. 53rd DGPs Congress/15th ÖGP Conference, Vienna, Austria.
Maurer, L., Schultz, A., Skoko, A., Krieger, T. & Mund, M.
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Is the Rasch-Type Loneliness Scale Rasch-conform? A psychometric analysis of multiple German versions [Poster presentation]. 15th Alps-Adria Psychology Conference, Klagenfurt, Austria.
Maurer, L., Schultz, A. & Mund, M.
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Seasonal cycles in loneliness, self-esteem, and positive and negative affect [Poster presentation]. 15th Alps-Adria Psychology Conference, Klagenfurt, Austria.
Dedić, M. & Mund, M.
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Variants of Estimating an IRT-Based Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) with R. Dependent Data in Social Sciences Research, 701-733. Springer International Publishing.
Alexandrowicz, Rainer W.; Maurer, Linda; Schultz, Anna & Mund, Marcus
