Examining Whether Social Anxiety Influences Satisfaction in Romantic Relationships
Abstract
Research investigating social anxiety and the impacts on romantic relationships remains scarce. An online questionnaire examining romantic relationship status, social anxiety and depression symptomology, relationship satisfaction, and several relationship processes was completed by 444 adults. Individuals with higher social anxiety were less likely to be in romantic relationships. For the 188 adults in our sample in current relationships, relationship satisfaction was not influenced by social anxiety when controlling for depression. Although it was proposed that self-disclosure, social support, trust, and conflict initiation might influence romantic relationship satisfaction, none of these mechanisms interacted with social anxiety to explain additional variance in relationship satisfaction. These findings indicate that depression symptomology may be a treatment target for socially anxious individuals wishing to improve romantic relationship satisfaction.
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Previous research has identified an association between depressive symptoms and reduced relationship satisfaction and increased relationship stress.
“Previous research has identified an association between depressive symptoms and reduced relationship satisfaction and increased relationship stress (Doyle et al. 2021; Whisman et al. 2021).”
From “I Felt Like a Burden”: An Exploration Into the Experience of Romantic Relationships for People With ADHD (2026) · cites this paper as Doyle et al. 2021
Co-occurring neurodivergence and mental health difficulties can impact experiences of relationships.
“As co‐occurring neurodivergence and mental health difficulties can impact experiences of relationships (e.g., Doyle et al. 2021; Howard et al. 2022; Khaw and Vernon 2025; Whisman et al. 2021)”
From “I Felt Like a Burden”: An Exploration Into the Experience of Romantic Relationships for People With ADHD (2026) · cites this paper as Doyle et al. 2021
Cites
How can I deal with missing data in my study?
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O'Brien, M., Kini‐Seery, C., Kelly, C., Kilbride, K., Wrigley, M., Nearchou, F., & Bramham, J. (2026) · Journal of Marital and Family Therapy · doi:10.1111/jmft.70097 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Previous research has identified an association between depressive symptoms and reduced relationship satisfaction and increased relationship stress (Doyle et al. 2021; Whisman et al. 2021).”
- Authors
- Doyle, F. L., Baillie, A. J., & Crome, E.
- Affiliations
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- National Health and Medical Research Council (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Doyle, Frances L.
- Venue
- Behaviour Change
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2021-09-24
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 263-275
- ISSN
- 0813-4839 (ISSN-L)
- 2049-7768
- OpenAlex
- W3204869442
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2
- FWCI
- 0.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Behaviour Change (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1041129)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Keywords
- social anxiety, romantic relationship satisfaction, romantic relationships, depression, self-disclosure, social support, trust, conflict initiation, relationship processes, relationship status
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