Long Stretch of Singlehood Ahead? Unpacking the Roles of Anticipated Singlehood Duration and Singlehood Stigma in Lowering Dating Standards

ABSTRACT Although dealbreakers are framed as non‐negotiable traits that disqualify a partner, rejecting someone with these traits can be challenging when the alternative is prolonged singlehood. In this experimental study, single people ( N = 452, M age = 33.72) rated their likelihood of dating someone with their top dealbreaker trait. Anticipated singlehood duration was manipulated: Participants imagined staying single for 3 years (short‐term group) or 10 years (long‐term group) if they rejected the person, while the control group received no such information. Results showed no difference between the short‐term and long‐term groups, but both were more likely to date the dealbreaker person compared to the control group. Additionally, singlehood stigma was linked to tolerating dealbreakers. Overall, our findings suggest that merely anticipating prolonged singlehood can lead individuals to lower their dating standards.