(PS5-99) Sexual-romantic loneliness, precarious masculinity/femininity, and mental health: a three-wave longitudinal study

Abstract Text: Sexual-romantic loneliness—the distress stemming from unmet needs for intimacy and connection in romantic and sexual relationships—has been widely recognized as a psychological risk factor, particularly for men. Similarly, precarious gender identity—the persistent sense of instability in one’s gender role and the need to continuously prove one's masculinity —has been primarily conceptualized in relation to male socialization, where masculinity is often perceived as fragile and easily threatened. While research has extensively documented how these factors contribute to psychological distress in men, their impact on women remains largely unexamined. Women's gender identity and experiences of romantic loneliness may function differently due to distinct socialization patterns, societal expectations, and coping mechanisms.
Addressing this gap, our study examines the associations between sexual-romantic loneliness, precarious masculinity/femininity, and mental health outcomes (PHQ-9, GAD-7) in both men and women.

Utilizing a three-wave random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) with a diverse Polish sample (T1 = 3,143, T2 = 2,431, T3 = 1,900), we analyzed within-person and between-person relationships across time. Our findings indicate strong intra-individual associations within each wave. In other words, at the within-person level, an increase in sexual-romantic loneliness and precarious gender identity translated into an instantaneous worsening of mental health. However, gender significantly moderated these associations, with weaker intra-individual relationships observed in women compared to men. These findings suggest that while precarious gender identity and sexual-romantic loneliness is a consistent psychological burden, their impact may be less pronounced in women.

This study provides new insights into the psychological impact of precarious gender identity and romantic loneliness, expanding the scope of existing research beyond men to include women. By identifying gender differences in these associations, our findings highlight the need for tailored interventions that address identity-related distress and social disconnection. This research aligns with ABCT’s mission by informing cognitive-behavioral approaches that target the underlying mechanisms of mental health vulnerability, offering valuable directions for both clinical practice and future studies.