APS

2026 APS Annual Convention · 2026

Cherishing Close Relationships Signals Romantic Desirability: Gender Differences In Relational Satisfaction Cues

Barcelona, Spain · May 2026

Posters · Connection & Belonging: Relationships in Social Life

Session: Poster Session XI

Authors

Abstract

Across two experiments and a longitudinal study (N = 1,635), we examined whether satisfaction with family and friends signals romantic desirability and varies by gender. Higher relational satisfaction increased women’s interest in targets and predicted men’s relationship entry, highlighting it as an overlooked cue in partner evaluation.