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  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">BJCR</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title xml:lang="en">British Journal of Contemporary Research</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title xml:lang="en">BJCR</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn>2979-8582</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Bexford Publishing Ltd</publisher-name>
        <publisher-loc><uri>https://bexfordpublishing.co.uk</uri></publisher-loc>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">BEX_JUL_26_183</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.67693/BJCR-8Z8SII74</article-id>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group xml:lang="en" subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Original Research Article</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title xml:lang="en">FEAR OF BETTER OPTIONS AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION AMONG EMERGING ADULTS: A QUALITATIVE THEMATIC ANALYSIS</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group content-type="author">
      <contrib corresp="yes">
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>Fr.Dr. Johnson Joseph</given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>johnsonjosephcst@gmail.com</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>Associate Professor and Head, Postgraduate Department of Psychology, Kuriakose Elias College, Mannanam, Kerala, India</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      <contrib>
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>Greeshma Thomas</given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>greeshma.tom055@gmail.com</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>Kuriakose Elais College Mannanam Kottayam</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date date-type="pub" publication-format="epub">
        <day>10</day>
        <month>08</month>
        <year>2026</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>1</volume>
      <issue>3</issue>
      
      
      <pub-history>
        <event event-type="received">
          <event-desc>Received: <date date-type="received">
            <day>25</day>
            <month>07</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
        
        <event event-type="accepted">
          <event-desc>Accepted: <date date-type="accepted">
            <day>31</day>
            <month>07</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
      </pub-history>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-statement>Copyright (c) 2026 Fr.Dr. Johnson Joseph</copyright-statement>
        <copyright-year>2026</copyright-year>
        <license xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">
          <license-p>This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract><p>Digital technologies have transformed romantic relationships by increasing exposure to alternative partners through social media and dating applications, giving rise to the Fear of Better Options (FOBO). Despite growing interest in related concepts such as social comparison and fear of missing out, limited qualitative research has examined FOBO and its influence on relationship satisfaction. This study explored the lived experiences of 16 emerging adults (18–26 years) using semi-structured interviews, with data analysed through Braun and Clarke&#039;s thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: the emergence and experience of FOBO, factors influencing FOBO, and its impact on relationship satisfaction and well-being. Participants identified social comparison, social media exposure, unmet emotional needs, and perceived alternatives as key contributors to FOBO. Although FOBO often reduced relationship satisfaction and caused emotional distress, adaptive coping strategies, including open communication, realistic expectations, and cognitive reframing, helped maintain healthy relationships. The findings highlight FOBO as a significant psychological phenomenon in contemporary romantic relationships.</p></abstract>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
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