To be or not to be in a romantic relationship: Associations with alexithymia, adult attachment, and psychological distress

This study aimed to explore alexithymia, attachment, and psychological distress in individuals who were in a relationship compared to single individuals. Furthermore, it aimed to evaluate which of the investigated factors could significantly predict the participants' relationship status. A total of 596 participants completed a battery of questionnaires, assessing alexithymia, romantic attachment, and psychological distress. The results showed that participants who were not in a relationship reported higher levels of both anxiety/depressive symptoms and alexithymic traits, as well as higher scores on attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance than those who were in a relationship. Furthermore, age, education, insecure attachment, alexithymia, and depressive symptoms were significant predictors in identifying an individual as being single, rather than in a relationship. The current findings highlight the importance of psychologists and psychotherapists paying attention to these aspects when single clients report the end of a relationship or a desire to find a partner.