Relationship Satisfaction and Loneliness among Young Adults using Online Dating Services

Abstract

The rise of online dating services has significantly transformed modern romantic relationships, influencing both relationship satisfaction and feelings of loneliness among young adults. This study aimed to examine the relationship between relationship satisfaction and loneliness among young adults using online dating platforms. Data were collected through a Google Form survey from 150 participants, and statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and Pearson correlation, were conducted. The findings revealed a weak but statistically significant negative correlation between relationship satisfaction and loneliness, suggesting that higher relationship satisfaction is associated with slightly lower loneliness levels. However, regression analysis indicated that relationship satisfaction accounts for only a small proportion of the variance in loneliness, highlighting that other factors may also play a crucial role. The study's findings align partially with previous research, such as Mund and Johnson (2021), which emphasized the long-term impact of loneliness on relationship satisfaction. Based on the results, recommendations include fostering meaningful offline interactions, improving emotional communication, and addressing unrealistic expectations in online dating. Limitations such as the cross-sectional design, self-reported data, and unmeasured influencing factors were also discussed. Future research should adopt longitudinal approaches and explore additional psychological variables to gain deeper insights into the complex relationship between online dating, relationship satisfaction, and loneliness.