To What Extent Does Sociosexuality Mediate the Relationship Between Self-Perceived Mate Value and Short-Term Mating Preferences?

Graaf, Anouk van de (2025) To What Extent Does Sociosexuality Mediate the Relationship Between Self-Perceived Mate Value and Short-Term Mating Preferences? Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

In the current study, it was investigated whether sociosexuality mediates the relationship between self-perceived mate value and short-term mating preferences. A sample of 184 participants between the ages of 18 and 31 (36 males,148 females; Mage=19.72, SDage=1.71) completed self-report questionnaires on self-perceived mate value, sociosexuality, and relationship orientation. Specifically, the measure of sociosexuality addresses attitudes on sexuality, and the measure of relationship orientation focuses particularly on preferences towards short-term relationships. To measure the extent to which sociosexuality influences the model as a mediator, a mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro model 4. Results of the current study showed that sociosexuality significantly mediated the relationship between self-perceived mate value and short-term mating preferences. The direct effect of self-perceived mate value on short-term mating was also significant, indicating a partial mediation. Remarkably, the direct effect was negative, while the indirect effect was positive, indicating a competitive mediation. The results suggest that individuals can simultaneously hold short-term oriented relationship preferences via high sociosexuality and less short-term oriented relationship preferences from high self-perceived mate value. These results reveal that young adults can shift between their relationship length preferences, highlighting the psychological complexity in mating preferences. This offers new directions for future research on the nuanced interplay between self-perceived mate value, sexual attitudes, and relationship preferences. Keywords: Self-perceived mate value, Sociosexuality, Mating orientation, Mediation, Relationship length preference, Short-term mating, STMO, Relationship orientation

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Karsten, J.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2025 08:22
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2025 08:22
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5681

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