Online Survey Based Study on Romantic Relationship Quality and Psychological Well-Being in Adults

Abstract

The present study examined gender differences in romantic relationship quality and its association with psychological well-being among young adults aged 18 to 30 years. Using a snowball sampling across digital platforms (WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram), responses from 101 participants (61males and 40 females) currently or previously engaged in romantic relationships were analyzed. Positive and negative dimensions of romantic relationship quality were assessed alongside multiple components of psychological well-being, including autonomy, personal growth, purpose in life, environmental mastery, and self-acceptance. Results revealed no significant gender differences in either positive or negative romantic relationship quality, suggesting that men and women perceive relationship satisfaction and relational challenges similarly in contemporary young adult populations. However, significant gender variations were observed in psychological well-being: females reported greater personal growth and a stronger sense of purpose in life compared to males. Correlational analyses indicated limited associations between positive romantic relationship qualities and well-being. Specifically, perceiving the relationship as “strong” was positively associated with autonomy, whereas viewing the relationship as “pleasant” showed a slight negative association with environmental mastery. Interestingly, the perception of the relationship as “energizing” was negatively linked to personal growth, suggesting nuanced emotional interpretations of positive relational states. In contrast, negative romantic relationship qualities demonstrated stronger and more consistent associations with well-being. Experiences of the relationship as “bad,” “lifeless,” “unpleasant,” or “empty” were significantly associated with reduced purpose in life, indicating that negative relational dynamics may disproportionately undermine psychological functioning. Overall, the findings underscore the heightened impact of negative romantic experiences on young adults’ psychological well-being and highlight the need for preventive mental health interventions focused on relational distress.