Lifestyle and close relationship trends among young adults in Poland

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of recent relational trends in Poland. Based on the clinical, theoretical, and empirical literature, the overview addresses both attitudinal (e.g., focus on individual need fulfillment and gender equality) and behavioral (e.g., timing of first intercourse and living arrangements) factors. The literature review is divided into four categories: (a) leaving home; (b) intimate relationships; (c) love, sexuality, and fertility; and (d) economics, work, and gender. Although some contrasts to prior generations are noted, the overview focuses primarily on relational trends among the current generation of Polish young adults.

The Polish Translation of the MDS

“…In conclusion, we argued initially that the recent societal context of romantic relationships in Poland -greater freedom, exploration of options such as cohabitation, aspirations for psychological fulfillment through marriage, increasing divorce (Fitzpatrick et al, 2014) -raised the need for a Polish-language measure of relationship disillusionment, as many persons' marital expectations would likely be unfulfilled. Our three studies now provide empirical support for the RDS-PL, albeit with some qualifications.…”

“…Cohabitation is not prevalent in Poland (only 3-5% of the population endorsing it in 2018 and 2019; Centrum Badania Opinii Spolescznej, 2019), although these figures are likely higher than in earlier eras. Recent trends in Poland's dating, cohabitation, marriage, sexual behavior, childbearing, and divorce may reflect the country's greater freedom, compared to when it was under Nazi and Communist control (Fitzpatrick et al, 2014). Moreover, Polish citizens increasingly view marriage as a path to personal psychological fulfillment (Fitzpatrick et al, 2014), akin to notions of the "all-or-nothing" marriage (Finkel, 2017).…”

“…Recent trends in Poland's dating, cohabitation, marriage, sexual behavior, childbearing, and divorce may reflect the country's greater freedom, compared to when it was under Nazi and Communist control (Fitzpatrick et al, 2014). Moreover, Polish citizens increasingly view marriage as a path to personal psychological fulfillment (Fitzpatrick et al, 2014), akin to notions of the "all-or-nothing" marriage (Finkel, 2017). Also, divorce is becoming both more prevalent and more socially accepted in Poland (Fitzpatrick et al, 2014).…”

“…Moreover, Polish citizens increasingly view marriage as a path to personal psychological fulfillment (Fitzpatrick et al, 2014), akin to notions of the "all-or-nothing" marriage (Finkel, 2017). Also, divorce is becoming both more prevalent and more socially accepted in Poland (Fitzpatrick et al, 2014). Polish citizens' greater focus on personal fulfillment in marriage and greater odds of divorce may be linked, potentially mediated through disillusionment.…”

Relationship status and mental and physical health among Polish and American young adults: The role of relationship satisfaction and satisfaction with relationship status

“…Sociocultural changes in Europe and in the USA are reflected in a decline of the marriage rate, increased age of first marriage, increased divorce rate, higher cohabitation rates, singlehood, single parenthood, same‐sex relationships, and same‐sex marriage (e.g. Bühler & Nikitin, 2020; Fitzpatrick et al., 2014; Kamp Dush & Amato, 2005; Robles et al, 2014; Soons & Liefbroer, 2008), to name but a few. This diversity of living arrangements that may be chosen by contemporary young adults in combination with the increasing number of single individuals creates a pressing need to investigate the role of intimate relationships of modern young adults for their health outcomes and “the correlates and outcomes of singlehood (…), in diverse countries and cultures” (Mehta et al, 2020, p. 439).…”