Loneliness Undermines Close Relationships Via Negative Biases in Interpersonal Perception

The current research includes three studies examining the role of loneliness in biasing perceptions of partner regard, communal motivation, and responsiveness within the context of friendships and romantic relationships, as well the potential role of these perceptions in explaining interpersonal and affective experiences associated with loneliness. Priming transient thoughts of loneliness reduced perceptions of friends’ and romantic partners’ regard and communal motivation (Study 1). In a cross-sectional study of friendships and romantic relationships (Study 2), lonely people perceived lower partner regard and responsiveness partly due to negative biases in interpreting partner behavior, and these perceptions explained the lower relationship satisfaction and commitment reported by lonely people. In a multi-method study of romantic dyads using daily experience, behavioral observation, and longitudinal methods (Study 3), loneliness was associated with negatively biased perceptions of partner regard, communal motivation, and support provision. These negative perceptions partially explained why lonely people were less satisfied, committed, disclosing, supportive, and happy; and partially explained the stability of loneliness over time. These effects of loneliness were independent of, and stronger than, effects of self-esteem, and loneliness explained most effects of self-esteem. Taken together, these findings suggest that loneliness may compromise the quality of close relationships and become persistent due to negative biases in perceiving partner regard, communal motivation, and responsiveness. Implications are discussed.