Emotional dependency in digital intimacy: the role of love and loneliness among early-adult women

Vollständiger Abstract

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This study examined the manifestations and experiences of emotional dependency among emerging adult women aged 18–29 using the Bumble dating app. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with four participants selected through purposive sampling and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman framework. The findings revealed that emotional dependency manifested as a tendency to view a romantic partner as the primary source of affection, security, attention, and emotional fulfillment. This pattern was driven by unmet emotional needs within the family and underlying feelings of loneliness, which led participants to seek emotional fulfillment through relationships initiated on the platform. Furthermore, intensive, continuous digital communication heightened emotional closeness but also triggered negative emotional responses, including overthinking, anxiety, and a strong fear of abandonment. To counter these challenges, participants identified establishing healthy boundaries and engaging in self-development activities as key strategies for mitigating emotional dependency. Overall, the study illustrates that emotional dependency among these users develops through a complex interaction of familial background, individual psychological vulnerabilities, and the distinct characteristics of digitally mediated communication.