title: Perceived Social Support and Mental Health Among Single vs. Partnered Polish Young Adults.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine whether young adults in nonmarital romantic relationships experience better mental health and lower levels of mental health problems compared to single young adults. In addition, the current study also tested the hypothesis that perceived social support mediates the association between relationship status (single vs. partnered) and mental health, and mental health problems. Five hundred fifty three participants (335 females and 218 males) aged 20-30 completed the Polish versions of General Health Questionnaire-28, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults-Short Form, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results indicated that single individuals reported lower emotional well-being than partnered individuals. No differences emerged between single and partnered individuals in regard to social and psychological well-being, as well in total well-being. Results also revealed no differences between single and partnered individuals in regard to somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, severe depression, and total mental health problems. Mediational analyses indicated the perceived social support mediates the association between partner status and mental health problems.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. A. Szamarzewskiego 89/AB, 60-568 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adamczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Segrin
keywords: Mental health; Mental health problems; Partnered; Perceived social support; Single; Young adults