Problematic patterns of romantic attachment are not all the same, according to a new systematic review published in . Archives of sexual behavior. Researchers have found that manic love, emotional dependence, and love addiction each have different psychological profiles, suggesting that they should be studied and treated as separate conditions rather than being grouped together.
Most romantic relationships contribute positively to people’s happiness. However, for some people, romantic relationships may be characterized by obsessions, excessive dependence, or obsessive attachments that interfere with daily life. Scientists have used a variety of names for these behaviors, including manic love, emotional dependence, and love addiction, but there is little agreement on whether they represent the same or different problems.
Researchers set out to find out by reviewing decades of research and comparing the psychological characteristics associated with each form of problematic romantic behavior. They also wanted to determine whether these patterns differed depending on the gender composition of the study sample.
The team, led by researcher Magdalena Sánchez Fernández from Spain’s University of Cadiz, searched four major scientific databases and identified 102 eligible studies. The final sample included 55 studies on manic love, 34 studies on emotional dependence, and 13 studies on love addiction. Across studies, sample sizes ranged from 63 to 3,375 participants, and the percentage of women ranged from 0% to 94.2%.
The researchers found that each type of problematic romantic behavior was associated with a different pattern of psychological characteristics. For example, relationship satisfaction showed opposite patterns of association across domains. High relationship satisfaction was significantly associated with emotional dependence, whereas low relationship satisfaction was significantly associated with manic romantic attitudes.
Furthermore, although anxious and insecure attachment was significantly associated with love addiction, the meta-analytic correlation with emotional dependence was not significant. These findings provide empirical support for the hypothesis that these behaviors are distinct psychological entities that need to be investigated independently.
Of the three types of problematic romantic behaviors, emotional dependence was associated with the widest range of psychological and relationship factors. Psychological dependence was linked to alcohol and drug use, behavioral addiction, violence (both received and committed), and relationship satisfaction. Low self-esteem emerged as a common feature of both emotional dependence and manic love addiction, whereas behavioral addiction was associated with both emotional dependence and love addiction.
The researchers also identified significant gender differences. The relationships between manic love and jealousy, and between manic love and decreased relationship satisfaction, were stronger in studies with a higher proportion of women. In contrast, the association between love addiction and insecure attachment was stronger in studies that included more men. These findings indicate that gender can influence how problematic relationship behaviors develop and are expressed.
Sánchez-Fernández et al. concluded, “The ultimate aim of this study is to move beyond the pathologization of problematic romantic behavior. We agree with the authors that problematic behavior is not a clinical pathology or syndrome, but rather results from maladaptive cognitions, behaviors, and coping strategies that have negative consequences in everyday life.”
The authors note several important limitations. For example, nearly all studies included in the review used cross-sectional designs, meaning it is impossible to determine whether psychological factors caused problematic romantic behavior or whether it resulted from psychological factors. The study also relied heavily on studies from the United States, Spain, and Italy, and the results may not apply to all cultures or non-monogamous relationship styles.
The study, “Problematic Love Behaviors and Correlates: A Systematic Review with Subgroup Meta-Analysis Including Gender/Sex Moderation,” was authored by Magdalena Sánchez Fernández, Nerea Almeda, and Mercedes Borda Mas.
