Examining the Association Between Loneliness and Obsessive–Compulsive Love Tendencies Among Emerging Adults in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Abstract

Background: Although loneliness often occurs in people with different psychological problems, little is known about the association between loneliness and obsessive relational tendencies. This relationship has not been well established for emerging adults, as most of the studies have concentrated on young or middle-age populations. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association between loneliness and obsessive relational tendencies and if loneliness predicts obsessive relational tendencies in emerging adults. Methods: The cross-sectional correlational study included 150 participants who were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Participants’ levels of loneliness were measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) and obsessive love was assessed using the Obsessive Love Scale. Pearson’s product-moment correlation and a simple linear regression were performed to evaluate the relationship between the two variables. Results: The study revealed that loneliness had a weak negative correlation with obsessive relational tendencies and was not a significant predictor, r (148) = -.113, p = .169, 95%CI [-0.268, 0.048]. Similarly, the regression analysis results showed that loneliness was not a significant predictor of obsessive relational tendencies, R 2 =.013, adjusted R 2 = .006, F (1,148) =1.91,p= .169. Conclusion: The results of the study failed to establish that loneliness independently predicts obsessive relational tendencies in emerging adults. The results suggest that Obsessive Relational Tendencies include a range of psychological processes beyond attachment and emotion regulation. Future studies could explore the role of other factors in obsessive relational tendencies using a longitudinal study design.