Loneliness, Marital Attitudes, and Their Impact on Mate Selection Criteria Among Students in Shiraz

Abstract

Introduction: Mate selection is one of the most significant decisions that individuals make in their lifetime. This study aimed to predict mate selection criteria based on loneliness and marital attitudes among students in Shiraz.Methods: This research employed a descriptive design. The statistical population comprised all students of the Islamic Azad University of Shiraz branch who studied there in 2022. A sample of 377 individuals (235 women and 142 men) was selected using a step-by-step cluster sampling method. The short form of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S), the Marital Attitude Scale (MAS), and the Mate Selection Criteria Inventory (MSCI) were used for evaluation.Results: The findings were analyzed using the multiple regression method simultaneously, which showed that a realistic attitude towards marriage and socio-emotional loneliness were significant predictors of mate selection criteria. Furthermore, the step-by-step multiple regression analysis revealed that a realistic attitude toward marriage had greater predictive power.Conclusion: A realistic attitude towards marriage leads to the selection of wise criteria and a more logical perspective in mate selection. Individuals with a more realistic attitude towards marriage examine this issue from different aspects and strive to have more logical and balanced criteria for marriage.

Keywords

• loneliness
• students
• psychology
• marriage
• mate selection criteria