The master's thesis explores situationships, a specific form of intimate relationship characterized by unclear boundaries between casual encounters and committed partnerships. In the introduction, the author emphasizes that this is a relatively unresearched field, which makes it difficult to understand how young people experience such relationships, what patterns and rules they develop, and how these relationships affect their well-being.
The aim of the research was to highlight the subjective experience of situationships among young adults and to explore the dynamics of their formation, maintenance, and ending. A qualitative methodology was used, based on the grounded theory approach. Through thirteen in-depth semi-structured interviews with young adults, we have developed eight thematic categories that form the conceptual framework of the analysis.
The results of the research show that participants experience these relationships as undefined and emotionally ambivalent, with unclear agreements, often lacking clear goals, and characterized by a dynamic oscillation between closeness and distance. One of the central findings of the research relates to the role of boundaries and agreements in situationships, as it has been shown that these relationships are not entirely without structure. The boundaries are mostly implicit and subject to ongoing adaptation, which creates a sense of uncertainty and reduces the potential for secure attachment.
At the forefront is the tension between the desire for freedom and the need for closeness, where even the idea of defining the relationship can feel threatening. Young people often persist in such relationships due to emotional vulnerability, fear of loneliness, and the hope of transitioning into a more stable partnership, even when the relationship does not meet basic emotional needs. Although they report some positive aspects, such as increased freedom, emotional comfort, and a lack of pressure, they also point out negative consequences such as stagnation, increased anxiety, feelings of unfulfillment, and recurring patterns of disappointment. Situationships often begin as temporary solutions but can become unexpectedly prolonged due to emotional involvement. The research also highlights the important role of past experiences and attachment styles, which shape how individuals perceive these relationships and influence their capacity for reflection, learning, and change.
The author emphasizes the need for further research that would, with larger and more diverse samples and the inclusion of quantitative methods, enable a deeper and broader understanding of this phenomenon. At the level of clinical practice, the thesis highlights the importance of individualized therapeutic approaches aimed at supporting young people in these relationships.
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