They say the best relationships are built on friendship. It’s a romantic idea, one that promises deep connection, unwavering support and a love that feels safe and familiar. But new research led by Colorado State University suggests that this romantic ideal might not be as common — or as beneficial — as we think.
In a national survey researchers conducted, only 14.4% of partnered adults in the United States said they consider their romantic partner to be their best friend. Those who did were more likely to enjoy a strong sense of companionship in their relationship. However, there was a surprising twist: They also reported feeling less social support overall.
The researchers suggest that relying on one person to fulfill both romantic and best friend roles might limit other important connections. While being close with your partner is clearly valuable, putting all your emotional eggs in one basket can mean missing out on the broader support a wider social network can offer.
For this study, researchers surveyed 940 adults in the United States between the ages of 18 and 85. All of them were in a romantic relationship and said they had at least one best friend.
Participants completed a survey that assessed their relationship quality and well-being through measures of emotional closeness, routine interaction, companionship, perceived social support, stress, and loneliness. Respondents listed up to seven friends, labeling each as a “friend,” “best friend,” “romantic partner,” or a combination.
