Survey Results
The results are now available from our April 2019 survey. This report includes stories and statistics from 713 people, about the causes and consequences of their dating difficulties, and the services and societal changes they would like to see. The results confirm that people of all genders and orientations struggle with dating for many reasons, but many people do start dating later in life.
Research & Development
Here are some things that academics, non-profit organizations and mental health professionals could do:
- Conduct further surveys and interviews of people having difficulty with dating
- Develop support information, such as guidance for therapists and teachers
- Design and evaluate support services
- Apply research about hatred and gender-based-violence to preventing incel violence
Research Questions
These are some big questions to be researched. The April 2019 survey provided partial answers to some of them. Finding answers will help to design, target and justify funding for support services, and to advocate for change.
- How many people have long-term dating difficulties?
- What are their ages, genders, orientations, and other demographics?
- What are the more fundamental causes of long-term dating difficulties?
- Do the causes differ by demographic group?
- What societal changes would prevent these causes of romantic loneliness?
- How can long-term singles accurately identify their personal reasons for dating difficulties?
- What self-help, counselling, and other support methods are effective, to overcome dating difficulties?
- What supports are effective for lonely youth?
- For late bloomers who need to “catch up”?
- For people with autism or other health conditions?
- For people who have become angry or hateful?
- What are the consequences of long-term dating difficulties, for individuals and society?
- How do the consequences vary by demographic group?
- What societal changes could alleviate the consequences?