All the Feels, None of the Labels: Young Adults’ Experiences of Situationships

Relationship dynamics in young adulthood in Australia are evolving with greater exploration of alternative relationships such as ‘situationships’—informal romantic connections where commitment and long-term relationship progression toward marriage are not prioritised—yet little is known about how young adults experience these increasingly common relationships. This qualitative study explored ‘situationship’ experiences through semi-structured interviews with 14 young adults (aged 19–25) in Australia, analysed using reflexive thematic analysis underpinned by a social constructionist epistemology. Five themes were constructed: navigating definitional confusion and ambiguous boundaries, experiencing imbalanced emotional investment, technology’s role in fostering commitment avoidance, generational shifts prioritising independence, and significant psychological impacts that are often invalidated. Participants described experiencing “soul-crushing” emotional pain while feeling that their distress did not count because ‘situationships’ were not constructed as “real relationships”. These relationships were socially normalised, yet psychologically challenging, particularly for those seeking relationship advancement, with lasting impacts on trust and commitment capacity. Essential elements for ‘situationship’ progression included emotional availability, communication, and mutual commitment. The findings contribute to relationship science by illuminating how ‘situationships’ affect young adults’ psychological wellbeing and relationship development, with practical implications for relationship counsellors and psychologists working with young adults experiencing distress in undefined romantic connections.