This paper was conducted to explore romance-themed novels that influence relationship satisfaction. It further described the perception of the reasons given by participants for reading romance-themed novels, the lived experiences of the participants that made them engage in reading romance-themed novels, and the impacts of reading the romance-themed novels on the relationship satisfaction of the participants. This study utilized the qualitative research method. This study's sixteen (16) participants were selected through a case study method. The researcher’s semi-structured interview guide was used in data gathering through interviews. The thematic analysis of Braun and Clarke was used to analyze the qualitative data. Codes, categories, and common themes were identified from the transcript of in-depth interviews. Ten (10) emergent themes were established from the participants’ responses that were classified under three (3) overarching themes that provided answers to the sub-problems. The emergent themes were extracted from the significant statements of the key participants. For the reasons given by participants for reading romance-themed novels, the overarching theme, Reasons of the Informants in Reading Romance-themed Novels, has five (5) emergent themes that were classified as Align Interest, Entertainment, Social Influence, Educational, and Therapeutic. For the participants' lived experiences that made them engage in reading romance-themed novels, the overarching theme, Lived Experiences in Engaging Reading Romance-themed Novels, has two (2) emergent themes classified as On-time availability and Baseline for real-world situations. For reading romance-themed novels on the relationship satisfaction of the participants, the overarching theme is the Impacts of Participants' Relationship Satisfaction; two (2) emergent themes were created, namely Establishing Strong Emotional Bonds and Enlightened Disposition. The findings and recommendations derived from the study were used to disseminate the positive impact of reading romance-themed novels on students' relationship satisfaction.
---
This study examined how romance novels affect the happiness of female college students at the University of Cebu-Main Campus during the 2022-2023 academic year. Specifically, it aimed to understand why college students read romance novels, their experiences with reading them, and how these novels impact their relationship satisfaction. (40)
---
The study enlisted female students from first-year to fourth-year students in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Cebu - Main Campus. Specifically, four female students were selected from each academic year level, provided they were actively engaged in reading romance-themed novels and currently involved in a relationship, regardless of the gender composition of the said relationships (i.e., female-female or female-male). (40)
---
female college students of the College of Arts and Sciences read romance-themed novels because it aligns with their interests and preferences. (42)
---
romance-themed novels provide entertainment to the participants. It is also fun to engage on the participants' part. At some point, romance-themed novels are one way to escape reality. (42)
---
social influences like family members and other external influences can be the reason to let the participant start reading romance-themed novels. Also, participants got started reading romance-themed novels because of the popularity of a particular thing that they enjoyed doing. (43)
---
romance-themed novels also have lessons to learn that engage participants in reading. By reading romance-themed novels, participants widen their vocabulary, not just their perspective on life. Participants also get and know new words and not just life lessons. (43)
---
romance-themed novels can give a therapeutic feeling since it is also the participants’ one way to relieve stress and the feeling of belongingness. Participants may feel stressed and pressured. Also, romance-themed novels helped some participants feel they were not alone. (44)
---
Participants are aware that romance-themed novels are fiction, but they want to believe and think that at some point in their lives, they can experience the things they read in romance-themed novels. Also, participants read romance-themed novels because they can relate and apply them to real life. (45)
---
romance-themed novels help participants manage and handle their relationships. Based on the participants' responses, romance-themed novels provide tips, ideas, and ways to handle and manage relationships. With this, participant’s relationships with their partner got improved. Their bond with each other got more robust and healthier. (46)
Here's the abstract:
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
---