2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

The Search for Connection: Parasocial Relationships and Loneliness

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Matthew Genuchi

Abstract

Access to media is greater today than ever before. Countless young men consume media from a variety of figures, including celebrities, influencers, and fictional characters. In some cases, fans develop parasocial romantic relationships, which are one-sided romantic attachments toward a media figure who does not personally know them. These relationships can feel emotionally meaningful and important, even though they occur through media rather than direct interaction. Parasocial romantic attachments are relatively common, yet researchers still know relatively little about why some individuals develop stronger parasocial bonds than others. This study will examine whether social or romantic loneliness predicts stronger parasocial romantic attachment in young men. Social loneliness refers to feeling a lack of close friends or meaningful social connections. Romantic loneliness refers to feeling a lack of close or satisfying romantic relationships. The study will focus on male Psychology 101 students who are emerging adults, typically between the ages of 18 and 25. This is a formative stage in life when identity development, intimacy, and expectations about romantic relationships are actively changing. Participants will complete an online survey consisting of short questionnaires measuring parasocial romantic attachment and loneliness. Participants will also answer basic background questions, including age, gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, and year in school. They will also report their media engagement, such as the type of media figure selected and how frequently they engage with that figure. These questions will only be used to describe the sample and help interpret the study findings. Understanding these relationships is important because feelings toward media figures may be influenced by social and romantic loneliness. Parasocial romantic attachments may become a way of coping with loneliness, regulating emotions, and shaping expectations about real-life relationships. Findings from this study may help researchers better understand how young men seek connection in media-saturated environments.

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