The Research Dialogue

Author(s) : Dr. Bindya Yohannan¹, Dr. G. Gayathri Ranjith²

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64880/theresearchdialogue.v5i2.28

Abstract

The concept of live-in relationships has gained increasing visibility in metropolitan cities of India, particularly among young adults who seek companionship, personal autonomy, and compatibility before marriage. Bengaluru, known for its cosmopolitan culture, diverse workforce, and changing social norms, provides an ideal context for exploring the psychological factors that influence individuals’ decisions to choose live-in relationships. While sociocultural and legal aspects of live-in relationships have received considerable attention, comparatively fewer studies have examined the psychological determinants underlying this relationship choice.

This quantitative study is designed to investigate the influence of psychological variables such as self-esteem, attachment style, fear of commitment, emotional maturity, relationship expectations, and need for autonomy on the preference for live-in relationships among young adults in Bengaluru. The study proposes the use of standardized psychological instruments and structured questionnaires to collect data from young adults aged 20–35 years. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques are proposed to examine relationships among the study variables. The findings are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological motivations associated with live-in relationships and provide insights for psychologists, social workers, counselors, educators, and policymakers in developing relationship education, counseling interventions, and awareness programmes that address the evolving relationship patterns among urban youth.

Keywords: Live-in relationships, Psychological factors, Self-esteem, Attachment style, Fear of commitment, Emotional maturity, Bengaluru, Young adults.

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