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Using self-determination theory to consider gender differences in the importance of romantic relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2026

Andrea L. Meltzer Open the ORCID record for Andrea L. Meltzer [Opens in a new window]  and
James K. McNulty
Andrea L. Meltzer*
Affiliation:
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA meltzer@psy.fsu.edu mcnulty@psy.fsu.edu www.andreameltzer.com https://cairlab-fsu.vercel.app/
James K. McNulty
Affiliation:
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA meltzer@psy.fsu.edu mcnulty@psy.fsu.edu www.andreameltzer.com https://cairlab-fsu.vercel.app/
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

The target article points to evidence that romantic relationships fulfill men’s intimacy needs more strongly than women’s, concluding that romantic relationships matter more to men than to women. In contrast, we use self-determination theory to highlight ways in which romantic relationships differentially affect women’s and men’s non-intimacy needs, arguing that this gender difference is more ambiguous.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e114
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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