A Study on Subjective Loneliness, Dating Anxiety and Happiness among Indian Men

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between dating anxiety, subjective

loneliness, and happiness among men navigating the online dating. Using a correlational

research design, data were collected from a sample of 44 men (aged 18–35) through a structured

online survey. Participants completed the Dating Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (DAS-A), the

UCLA Loneliness Scale, and a validated measure of Subjective Happiness. Statistical analysis

revealed significant positive correlations between loneliness and all subdimensions of dating

anxiety, most notably Social Distress and Fear of Negative Evaluation. These findings suggest

that interpersonal anxieties act as a primary psychological barrier that directly exacerbates

subjective loneliness in men while dating online. The study concludes that addressing specific

social distress and the fear of being judged is essential for mitigating loneliness and enhancing

the overall subjective well-being of men in the online dating era.