Young adults who fear remaining single appear more likely to search for love through traditional offline dating rather than dating apps, according to new research. The study also found that those who feel insecure in relationships tend to avoid risky sexual behavior, placing greater value on long-term commitment than casual encounters.
The findings, published in the journal Sexual and Relationship Therapy, suggest that deeply rooted attachment patterns, combined with cultural expectations around marriage, play an important role in shaping how people approach modern dating. Rather than technology alone determining romantic behavior, emotional needs and social pressures continue to influence where people look for partners and what kind of relationships they seek.
How attachment shapes romantic behavior
Attachment theory, originally developed to explain the bond between infants and caregivers, is now widely used to understand adult romantic relationships. According to psychologists, people with an anxious attachment style often fear rejection and constantly seek reassurance from partners, while those with an avoidant attachment style tend to keep emotional distance and feel uncomfortable when relationships become too intimate.
In many Asian countries, particularly China, marriage and parenthood are still viewed as important social responsibilities. Remaining single beyond a culturally expected age may bring criticism from relatives and social pressure, creating a strong fear of being single that extends beyond ordinary concerns about relationships.
How the study was conducted
To explore how attachment styles influence dating behavior, researchers led by Shuang Chen of Tsinghua University, together with Bin Li and Kexin Wang, surveyed 761 heterosexual adults in China between the ages of 18 and 34. All participants were single and had actively used at least one location-based dating app, such as Momo or Tantan, during the previous five years.
Participants completed questionnaires measuring attachment style, relationship anxiety, and fear of being single. They also reported both their online dating activity, including interactions on dating apps, and their offline efforts to meet partners through social events, introductions by friends, and blind dates.
The survey additionally examined recent sexual behavior, including unprotected sex and sexual activity involving alcohol or other substances, allowing researchers to connect emotional characteristics with real-life relationship decisions.
Different attachment styles, different dating strategies
The results showed clear differences based on attachment style. People with stronger avoidant attachment were less likely to use dating apps and also less likely to pursue offline dating opportunities, suggesting they generally withdrew from seeking romantic relationships.
Researchers believe that avoidant individuals may view both online and face-to-face dating as emotionally risky. Their discomfort with intimacy appears to outweigh social expectations to find a partner.
Fear of being single produced a very different pattern. Participants who were highly worried about remaining single used dating apps less frequently but became more active in traditional dating. They were more likely to attend social gatherings, accept blind dates, and rely on friends or family members to introduce potential partners.
The researchers suggest this reflects how dating apps are often viewed in China—as places more associated with casual dating than serious, long-term relationships. For people focused on marriage, offline introductions may seem more reliable than browsing anonymous online profiles.
Men and women responded differently
Gender also influenced the results. Among men, high relationship anxiety combined with a strong fear of being single led to greater effort in offline dating. These men attended more social events, accepted more introductions, and actively searched for committed relationships.
Interestingly, these anxious men were also the least likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. They reported lower rates of unprotected sex and were less likely to combine sex with alcohol or other substances, suggesting that casual encounters did not align with their long-term relationship goals.
Women did not show the same behavioral pattern. The researchers suggest this may reflect China’s demographic imbalance, where men significantly outnumber women in the marriage market.
Because competition for partners is greater among men, they may feel stronger pressure to demonstrate that they are reliable, committed, and suitable long-term partners. Women, facing less numerical competition, may experience less pressure to alter their dating strategies despite similar emotional concerns.
Cultural influences matter
The findings highlight that dating behavior cannot be understood without considering cultural expectations. Attitudes toward marriage, family obligations, gender roles, and the reputation of dating platforms all influence how people respond to relationship anxiety and fear of being alone.
For therapists and relationship counselors, the study offers valuable insight into clients struggling with loneliness or dating stress. Understanding how attachment styles interact with cultural norms may help professionals provide more personalized support.
Study limitations and future research
The authors caution that the study was cross-sectional, meaning it captured participants at only one point in time. As a result, it cannot determine whether attachment styles directly cause particular dating behaviors or whether other factors contribute to these patterns.
The researchers also note that offline dating behavior and sexual activity were self-reported, meaning some participants may have underreported sensitive behaviors, particularly in a more conservative cultural setting.
Future research following people over several years could reveal how attachment styles and fear of being single change throughout adulthood and how career development, family expectations, and evolving social norms influence relationship choices over time. Similar studies in other countries could also help determine whether these patterns are universal or specific to particular cultural environments.
Overall, the findings suggest that dating apps are only one part of modern dating. Deeply rooted attachment patterns, combined with powerful cultural expectations, continue to shape how young adults search for partners, balance commitment and risk, and build their romantic lives.
