Difficulty maintaining relationships is a major driver of modern singlehood, study suggests

A study published in Evolutionary Psychology suggests that difficulties in maintaining relationships, rather than challenges in attracting partners, are a major driver of modern singlehood. The research, which analyzed data from 1,099 Greek-speaking adults, found that individuals who report greater difficulties in sustaining intimate relationships are more likely to be single, especially after a breakup or by choice. For women, the association between relationship-maintenance difficulties and singlehood follows an inverted U-shape, with moderate difficulties posing the highest risk. For men, the association is strictly linear, with higher difficulties consistently linked to a greater likelihood of being single. The study highlights the importance of psychological and societal factors in shaping modern relationship patterns.