Scientists conducted a large-scale study on relationships, surveying 1,099 adult residents of Greece and Cyprus to determine the main cause of loneliness among people. The work was published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology (EP).
Scientists conducted a large-scale study on relationships, surveying 1,099 adult residents of Greece and Cyprus to determine the main cause of loneliness among people. The work was published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology (EP).
Participants anonymously filled out a 78-item questionnaire, where they honestly answered questions about their relationships. Respondents assessed how often they experienced various issues, from lack of attention to conflicts and aggression. They also indicated their relationship status: the responses of single individuals (involuntarily or voluntarily) were compared with those of people in relationships or marriages.
The results showed a clear connection: the more difficulties in maintaining relationships, the higher the likelihood of remaining single.
The authors of the study explain the results through evolutionary and social factors. While marriages were once regulated by social norms, today people rely more on emotional control skills, conflict resolution abilities, and the capacity for long-term interaction. In modern conditions, the freedom of choice and the availability of alternative sources of support reduce the willingness to maintain problematic relationships.
