Concurrent Sessions 9 - (NBCC CE Credit: #1 hr and Conference Attendance Credit: #1 hr)

330-01: Singlehood in the Context of Relationship Histories: Understanding Romantic Development  Outside of Relationships
Tyler B. Jamison

330-02: Why I am Single: Reasons For and Appraisals of Singlehood
Jonathon J. Beckmeyer, Tyler B. Jamison

330-03: Single Singles: No Need to Mingle?
Elizabeth Sharp, Shannon E. Weaver

330-04: Perceived Abilities to Initiate Romantic Relationships and Single Emerging Adults'  Loneliness and Romantic and Life Satisfaction
Nicole K. Watkins, Jonathon J. Beckmeyer

Discussant: Amber Vennum
Cochairs: Jonathon J. Beckmeyer, Tyler B. Jamison

Summary
Although romantic involvement is a salient developmental task for young adults, exploration and instability remain normative romantic experiences during the transition to adulthood. This is evidenced by the diversity of romantic involvement during young adulthood and the variability in emerging adults' desire to engage in romantic relationships. A consequence of romantic exploration and instability is that singlehood remains a common experience during young adulthood. In this symposium we will present the results of four studies, all drawing on a strengths-based approach, focused on elucidating the meanings, benefits, and costs of being single during young adulthood. In particular, these studies challenge the assumptions that single young adults are always seeking romantic commitments and that being single primarily conveys costs to their well-being.

Objectives
-- To demonstrate the complexity of young adults' experiences with singlehood.
-- To analyze how being single influences young adults' well-being.
-- To demonstrate how singlehood can be a strength for young adults.

Subject Codes: strengths, dating, well-being
Population Codes: emerging/young adulthood, single, all gender inclusive
Method and Approach Codes: grounded theory, regression: linear (simple, multiple, hierarchical), quantitative methodology