Open Access

ARTICLE

When friendship meets love: A short-term prospective study of opposite-sex friends need fulfillment effects on romantic relationship quality

Xiaoyue Zhao¹, Ting Wang², Baoyan Yang^3,*, Hongyu Zang¹, Qifeng Gao¹, Zhongyuan Zhang¹, Birong Xing¹

1 School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
2 Conservatory of Music, Shaanxi Vocational Academy of Art, Xi’an, 710001, China
3 School of Education Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China

* Corresponding Author: Baoyan Yang. Email:

Journal of Psychology in Africa 2025, 35(5), 701-711. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2025.067155

Received 26 April 2025; Accepted 14 September 2025; Issue published 24 October 2025

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between need fulfillment given by opposite-sex friends and romantic relationship quality, as well as the potential underlying mechanisms, including perceived quality of opposite-sex friend relationships, need fulfillment given by romantic partners and romantic desire towards opposite-sex friends. A total of 98 unmarried Chinese young adults in romantic relationships were participants (females = 45.9%; M = 22.71, SD = 2.81). The findings from regression, mediation, and moderation analyses indicated need fulfillment given by opposite-sex friends was associated with lower romantic relationship quality. Perceived quality of opposite-sex friend relationships mediated the relationship between need fulfillment given by opposite-sex friends and romantic relationship quality to be higher. The association between need fulfillment given by opposite-sex friends and both romantic relationship quality and perceived quality of opposite-sex friend relationships was moderated by need fulfillment given by romantic partners to be lower as need fulfillment given by romantic partners increased. Romantic desire towards opposite-sex friends moderated the association between perceived quality of opposite-sex friend relationships and romantic relationship quality to be lower as individuals’ romantic desire for opposite-sex friends decreased. These findings suggest that higher need fulfillment by romantic partners in opposite-sex friend relationships may lower romantic relationship quality. Based on these findings, there is need to balance opposite-sex friendships for safety in romantic relationships.

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Keywords

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