Self-confidence in communication and same-sex friendship of people not desiring a steady romantic relationship in adolescence and early adulthood

Abstract

This study investigated differences of self-confidence in communication and same-sex friendship among people in a steady relationship, those desiring a steady relationship that they do not have (Love-longing group), and those not desiring a steady romantic relationship (Love-Unnecessary group) in adolescence and early adulthood. A survey inquiring about selfconfidence in communication, same-sex friendship, and reasons to not want a steady romantic relationship was conducted with 1950 people (18 to 34 years old; Love group 750, Love-longing group 300, and Love-Unnecessary group 900). The Love-unnecessary group was classified into 4 types based on reasons to not desire a steady romantic relationship using principal component analysis. The results of an Analysis of Variance indicated that the Love group had total selfconfidence in communication and intimate friendships, the love-longing group hoped for wide and deep friendship, people who refrained from a steady romantic relationship avoided intimate friendships, and people who reported self-mistrust had totally lower self-confidence and left their friendship.