Is there a lack of Intimacy among Emerging Adults? A try to capture the status of Emerging Adults’ interactions through intimacy-related variables: A network Analysis

Abstract

Introduction Intimacy constitutes a fundamental dimension of psychological development, spanning from childhood to adulthood, and is conceptualized as a dynamic disposition experienced both individually and interpersonally. The sense of intimacy arising from social interactions is important for fostering creativity and vitality, so examining its formation and maintenance is of primary importance. This research aims to offer a preliminary view of the connection between some dimensions that could compose part of the ‘Intimacy’ mosaic, investigating the capacity of emerging adults to experience a profound sense of intimacy, express one’s true self to others, and evaluate their satisfaction with these relationships. The hypothesis regards the possibility of an intimacy deficit, potentially rooted in the restricted expression of one’s true self during interpersonal exchanges, which may contribute to feelings of sadness and diminished motivation. Methods A sample of 257 emerging adults (18–31 years) was recruited via networking sampling. Each participant completed six self-report measures through a Google Form: the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), two domain-specific versions of the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale (U-MICS), the Perception of False Self Scale (POFSS), the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Data were analyzed using correlational approaches and a network analysis conducted with the EBICglasso algorithm in JASP software. Results The two identity commitment measures (U-MICS) showed relatively lower influence compared with the other constructs investigated. Centrality indices from the network analysis indicated that Loneliness (Betweenness = 4000; Strength = 0.948) and Satisfaction With Life (Betweenness = 6000; Strength = 0.884) emerged as the most prominent variables within the network, while the variable with the highest expected influence is the perception of False-Self (0.514). Conclusions The Findings suggest that emerging adults may experience a deficit in intimate relationships. Whether Loneliness functions as the core predictor or the outcome of this complex interplay remains uncertain, yet it appears potentially linked to a lack of authenticity in interpersonal dynamics. These outcomes, along with future investigations, may illuminate the underlying factors contributing to increasing loneliness in this population, offering a more complex understanding for clinical and preventive interventions