From Convenience to Confusion: An Exploration of the Impact of Emotional Ambivalence Experienced by Young Adults in Situationships

Abstract

Situationships are quite prevalent among young adults today and are characterised by a lack of labels, exclusivity/commitment, clarity and structure. This qualitative research study attempted to understand the impact of emotional ambivalence experienced by young adults in situationships. The data was collected through in-depth interviews with 13 participants (aged 18-25) and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis framework. Findings suggested that situationships were maintained owing to the interplay of convenience and emotional ambivalence. While convenience enabled individuals to access intimacy and companionship without commitment, emotional ambivalence reflected the coexistence of fulfilment and ambiguity. This dynamic was evident across themes related to the nature of the relationship, sustenance of the situationship, participants’ emotional experience, after-effects and the termination of the situationship.