Pathways to Loneliness and Well-Being: The Role of Attachment, Sexual Risk, Social Support and Satisfaction With Romantic Status in Single Students

Singlehood in young adulthood is common, yet its links to loneliness and well-being remain understudied. Attachment theory offers a framework, as insecure attachment relates to risky behavior and difficulties forming relationships. This study examined how sexual risk-taking and social support contribute to loneliness and well-being, and whether satisfaction with romantic status moderates these associations among 246 single university students. Moderation analyses across attachment style groups revealed distinct patterns. Greater satisfaction with romantic status predicted lower loneliness and higher well-being and moderated several associations. Securely attached students reported lower loneliness and higher well-being when receiving greater support, while some forms of sexual risk-taking were associated with higher well-being. Among anxiously attached, higher well-being was associated with greater satisfaction, family support and sexual risk-taking. Avoidant individuals reported lower loneliness and higher well-being when receiving support. Among fearful-avoidant participants, greater satisfaction predicted lower loneliness and higher well-being, while friend support predicted lower loneliness.