Romantic Myths, Psychological Symptomatology, and their Impact on Emotional Dependence in Ecuadorian University Students

Abstract

Romantic myths are socially shared beliefs that idealize love, promoting ideas such as exclusivity, sacrifice, and emotional fusion within romantic relationships (Cubells-Serra et al., 2021). Among university students, these beliefs may foster emotional dependence and normalize dating violence (Valdivia Rojas et al., 2023). This study examined the relationship between romantic myths, emotional dependence, and dysfunctional psychological symptomatology, as well as the mediating role of the latter. Method: A total of 440 Ecuadorian university students participated. The Romantic Myths Scale (SMRL), the Emotional Dependence Questionnaire (CDE), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were administered. Results: Women reported higher levels of idealized romantic myths, emotional dependence, and internalized symptomatology, whereas men showed greater adherence to possessive myths. Romantic myths and symptoms such as anxiety, hostility, and paranoid ideation significantly predicted emotional dependence dimensions. Additionally, psychological symptomatology, particularly paranoid ideation, partially mediated the relationship between idealized love beliefs and emotional dependence. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of implementing gender-sensitive interventions that simultaneously address dysfunctional romantic beliefs and psychological distress in affective relationships.