@Article{jpa.2025.067155,
AUTHOR = {Xiaoyue Zhao, Ting Wang, Baoyan Yang, Hongyu Zang, Qifeng Gao, Zhongyuan Zhang, Birong Xing},
TITLE = {When friendship meets love: A short-term prospective study of opposite-sex friends need fulfillment effects on romantic relationship quality},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Psychology in Africa},
VOLUME = {35},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {5},
PAGES = {701--711},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/jpa/v35n5/64107},
ISSN = {1815-5626},
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%; <i>M</i> = 22.71, <i>SD</i> = 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.},
DOI = {10.32604/jpa.2025.067155}
}