ROMANTIC LONELINESS AS A PREDICTOR OF MARITAL READINESS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG EMERGING ADULTS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF RELATIONSHIP SELF-EFFICACY

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental period characterized by identity exploration, increasing autonomy, and the pursuit of intimate relationships. During this stage, loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent psychological concern worldwide, with growing evidence suggesting that romantic loneliness represents a distinct and particularly impactful form of loneliness. Unlike social loneliness, romantic loneliness arises from the absence or perceived inadequacy of a desired intimate relationship and remains relatively understudied despite its potential implications for psychological and relational development. The present narrative review aims to synthesize existing literature regarding the relationship between romantic loneliness, psychological well-being, marital readiness, and relationship self-efficacy among emerging adults. Relevant literature was reviewed using studies identified through Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The review integrates theoretical and empirical evidence from developmental, personality, and relationship psychology to examine the mechanisms through which romantic loneliness influences psychological and relational outcomes. Findings consistently indicate that romantic loneliness is associated with lower psychological well-being, including reduced life satisfaction, emotional adjustment, and self-esteem. Evidence further suggests that individuals experiencing higher levels of romantic loneliness report lower perceptions of marital readiness due to reduced confidence in their ability to establish and maintain successful intimate relationships. Relationship self-efficacy emerged as a significant protective factor and appears to mediate the relationship between romantic loneliness and both psychological well-being and marital readiness. The review highlights important theoretical, empirical, and cultural gaps in the literature, particularly within collectivistic societies. Future research should adopt culturally sensitive approaches and longitudinal designs to better understand these relationships. The findings also underscore the importance of counseling interventions, relationship education programs, and university mental health services aimed at strengthening relationship self-efficacy and promoting healthy relational development among emerging adults.

Keywords: Romantic loneliness, psychological well-being, marital readiness