Research Symposium

BIO

Marilyn is a first-year Honors student at Florida State University majoring in International Affairs. She is pursuing a minor in Spanish and a certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS). She is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Her academic interests include counterterrorism and international security, particularly how governments and institutions respond to evolving global threats. After completing her undergraduate studies, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in International Affairs and a career in the national security field.

"She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not" The Consequences of Men in Situationships

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates the experiences of men in situationships, relationships characterized by their ambiguous nature, with varying levels of commitment and emotional investment between parties. Specifically centering around the question of: “What consequences do men face in situationships?” this exploration sought to examine the emotional, psychological, and social impacts of navigating such ambiguous relationships. In this study, 17 men between the ages of 18 and 24 participated in semi-structured 30-minute interviews, exploring their perceptions of the situation, their motivations for initiating and maintaining the situation, and the relational, emotional, or psychological consequences. These interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, which found substantial variability in men’s reported situationships. Ambiguity was a consistent factor in how men described their situationships, as some noted feelings of uncertainty, unclear expectations, and disproportionate emotional investment. Emotional experiences were also complex, with some men viewing their experience positively, sharing that it was casual, fun, or enjoyable, while others viewed their experiences negatively, saying it was confusing, frustrating, or disappointing. The motivations for maintaining the situationships were more similar from participant to participant, revolving around feelings of attraction, desires for companionship, or convenience. It was also found that situationships typically evolved organically from friendships. These findings challenge assumptions that men solely have a preference for casual or low-commitment relationships and provide insight into their experiences, emphasizing the inherent emotional complexity of such ambiguous relationships.

Keywords: Situationship, Relationship, Men