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<p>Within the context of romantic relationships, situationships are defined as relationship experiences where individuals act like an established romantic couple, but do not put a label on the relationship and avoid commitment. Although there has been an increase in situationships over the last five years, situationship experiences are often less satisfying than traditional relationships. Given these trends, the current study sought to understand why individuals would maintain a situationship. Using a mixed-methods approach, 10 participants currently or recently in a situationship (as defined by the researchers) participated in semi-structured interviews. Using the themes identified from these interviews, 109 participants also currently or recently in situationships completed an online survey. Using thematic analyses, themes reflecting why participants maintained a situationship included: exclusivity, investment, whether their needs were met, communication about the future, effort, prioritizing the relationship, and trust. Using regression analyses, investment in a situationship, communicating about the future within a situationship, and participant prioritizing the situationship, resulted in increased satisfaction and commitment. These findings are supported by social exchange theory and investment theory illustrating that commitment to situationships may best explain why they are maintained, despite the objective lack of commitment inherent in situationships.</p>

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Are Situationships situational?: A Mixed-Methods Study on the Motivations for Being in a Situationship

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月21日

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  • M. R. Langlais,
  • P. Guzman,
  • L. Toohey,
  • A. Podberesky,
  • A. Lee

摘要

Within the context of romantic relationships, situationships are defined as relationship experiences where individuals act like an established romantic couple, but do not put a label on the relationship and avoid commitment. Although there has been an increase in situationships over the last five years, situationship experiences are often less satisfying than traditional relationships. Given these trends, the current study sought to understand why individuals would maintain a situationship. Using a mixed-methods approach, 10 participants currently or recently in a situationship (as defined by the researchers) participated in semi-structured interviews. Using the themes identified from these interviews, 109 participants also currently or recently in situationships completed an online survey. Using thematic analyses, themes reflecting why participants maintained a situationship included: exclusivity, investment, whether their needs were met, communication about the future, effort, prioritizing the relationship, and trust. Using regression analyses, investment in a situationship, communicating about the future within a situationship, and participant prioritizing the situationship, resulted in increased satisfaction and commitment. These findings are supported by social exchange theory and investment theory illustrating that commitment to situationships may best explain why they are maintained, despite the objective lack of commitment inherent in situationships.