According to a recent study published in Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, these findings get even more interesting. It dives into the complex relationship between romantic relationships and friendships. Led by researchers Natalie Pennington and her colleagues, the study surveyed 940 adult Americans. All of our respondents were in romantic relationships and had at least one best friend. Her findings have important implications for understanding how calling a partner a best friend affects relationship quality and mental health outcomes.
The ages of the participants in the discussion, ranging from 18 to 85, had a median age of 41, giving a youthful perspective. Our research focused on the effects of blending romantic and friend roles within one-on-one social interactions. These findings characterize a nuanced relationship between companionship and social support, illustrating the importance of preserving different friendship functions.
Survey Insights
In the study, participants actively named up to seven friends. They identified which relationships were “friends,” “best friends,” “romantic partners,” or a mix of those categories. It was noted that only 14.4% of partnered adults in the U.S. referred to their romantic partner as their best friend. This estimate is sure to spark fascinating discussion because it speaks to the concept of friendship within romantic relationships.
Researchers aimed to measure two primary facets of relationship quality: emotional closeness and routine interactions. They presented a 7-point scale to rate the strength of participants’ emotional attachments. Further, they measured the degree to which participants reported having day-to-day contact with friends and romantic partners. The goal of the study was to critically assess each of these aspects. It sought to learn more about the ways people balance their social lives with their romantic partners.
Companionship vs. Social Support
These findings provided a multifaceted look at the role of companionship and social support or lack thereof. Participants who reported that their romantic partners were their best friends experienced significantly more companionship. This indicates that combining these functions can help develop a more intimate emotional bond between partners in romantic relationships.
People had higher levels of perceived social support when they had distinct best friends independent of their romantic relationships. This suggests that although companionate love might flourish in interdependent relationships, social support might be best served by independent friendship ties. Such findings underscore how vital it is to cultivate both kinds of relationships to promote holistic well-being.
Mental Health Outcomes
Besides companionship and personal social support, the study looked at other dimensions of general well-being. Researchers measured life satisfaction, loneliness, perceived stress, and social support among participants. The analysis revealed that when people kept their best friends and romantic partners separate, they reported feeling more socially supported. This separation resulted in increased feelings of support in their everyday lives.
The implications of these findings are profound for our understanding of relationship dynamics. Seeing partners as trusted friends can boost emotional intimacy and everyday connection. It’s equally important to have friendships apart from that, to build and encourage a diverse support system. Finding the right balance between the two may be key to enhancing mental health and relationship quality.