Linfoot, Rachael S. (2021) Emerging Adulthood: Navigating Romantic Relationships during a Global Pandemic. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic forced distance between loved ones and placed strain on emerging adults and their romantic relationships. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to understand how emerging adults, aged 18-25 years, experienced their romantic lives during the global crisis and sought advice using online chat forum, Reddit. According to the literature, emerging adulthood is an important exploratory phase during which romantic relationships are experienced, and skills developed for use on maturation to adulthood. Two research questions were proposed: (a) what type of relationship and dating advice do emerging adults seek through Reddit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (b) what are the lived experiences of emerging adults who are suffering difficulties in their romantic lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two themes were defined from the thematic analysis; the big ‘how’ and barriers to romance. Findings indicate emerging adults faced significant romantic challenges during COVID-19 and engaged in relationship sabotaging behaviours. It was evident that many emerging adults lacked the skills needed to overcome the challenges they faced. This research provided unique insights into emerging adults’ romantic development, and it is intended these findings will promote further research into relationship sabotage in emerging adults and lend support to future projects intending to use Reddit as a qualitative data source. Finally, it is anticipated these findings will inform the development of a much needed, readily accessible, relationship skills programs for emerging adults.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Raquel Peel |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Jul 2025 23:50 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Jul 2025 23:50 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | emerging adulthood ; covid-19 ; Reddit ; attachment theory ; relationship sabotage |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52508 |
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