"Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing Now?" Explained by Two Psychologists

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might Help.This week's episode is a deep dive into the viral Vogue article, "Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now?" by Chante Joseph. We touch on the psychology and research around being single and how this has shifted in recent years.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTokThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@thismighthelppodcastVogue article:https://www.vogue.com.au/culture/features/is-having-a-boyfriend-embarrassing-now/news-story/f4e2983a68387697a37df1579508b791Some of the key research we chat about can be found below:Dupuis, H. E., & Girme, Y. U. (2023). “Cat Ladies” and “Mama’s Boys”: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Gendered Discrimination and Stereotypes of Single Women and Single Men. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 50(2), 314-328. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672231203123 (Original work published 2024)Girme, Y. U., Sibley, C. G., Hadden, B. W., Schmitt, M. T., & Hunger, J. M. (2021). Unsupported and Stigmatized? The Association Between Relationship Status and Well-Being Is Mediated by Social Support and Social Discrimination. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 13(2), 425-435. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506211030102 (Original work published 2022)Gonzalez Avilés, T., Bühler, J. L., Brandt, N. D., & Neyer, F. J. (2024). Today’s Adolescents Are More Satisfied With Being Single: Findings From a German Cohort-Sequential Study Among 14- to 40-Year-Olds. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 51(12), 2461-2475. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241257139 (Original work published 2025)Hoan, E., & MacDonald, G. (2024). “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves”: Gender Differences in Singles’ Well-Being. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 16(6), 610-619. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506241287960 (Original work published 2025)Tessler, H., Choi, M., & Kao, G. (2024). Love as a Low Priority: Gender and Relationship History Differences in Singles’ Value of Romantic Partnership. Social Currents, 11(6), 479-492. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294965241240781 (Original work published 2024)Stronge, S., Overall, N. C., & Sibley, C. G. (2019). Gender differences in the associations between relationship status, social support, and wellbeing. Journal of Family Psychology, 33(7), 819–829. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000540 Additional support can be found through:Beyond Blue - ⁠https://www.beyondblue.org.au⁠ 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - ⁠https://988lifeline.org/get-help/⁠ 13 11 14 Headspace - ⁠https://headspace.org.au⁠ 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under)