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Date of Graduation
12-13-2025
Semester of Graduation
Fall
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Department of Psychology
First Advisor
Jessica Salvatore
Abstract
Little research exists about a relatively new societal identity called aromanticism, which is characterized by a lack of romantic attraction. The present study uses mixed methodology to explore the lived experience of aromantic people and the stigma they may attract. Exploratory interviews were conducted to provide a deeper conceptual understanding of aromanticism. As a follow-up, a new sample of aromantic people were group interviewed about their experiences of stigma. The quantitative section of this research consists of three studies. First, I conducted exploratory surveys to validate an adapted measure of aromantic orientation, estimate the rate of prevalence of aromantic identity, estimate rates of well-being for aromantic people, and survey the existence of aromantic prejudice. A second convenience sample was used to estimate rates of prevalence for aromantic identity and served as the screener when selecting participants for focus groups. The third sample, which was nationally representative, was used to gain an estimate of the number of people who identified and could qualify as aromantic. Participants were also asked to rate experimental character vignettes with different romantic orientations on a dehumanization and stereotype endorsement measure. This study resulted in the best-known systematic estimate of aromantic people and that aromantic people face stigma tied to their unique identity.
