New Research From TRUE(TM) and 'Psychology Today' Gives Surprising Insight
Into Preferences and Emotions Around Gift-Giving and Receiving
Chief Psychologist James Houran Shares Tips on How to Chase Away the
Valentine's Day Blues
DALLAS, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentine's Day gift-giving is not just
for women anymore. Results from a recent three-month study involving
2,353 women and 1,121 men nationwide show that 85 percent of men hope to
receive a Valentine's Day gift this Feb. 14. The study, conducted by the
leading online relationship service TRUE(TM) in conjunction with Psychology
Today, also provides insight into the preferences and emotions around
Valentine's Day gift-giving and receiving -- from what's on the top of every
man and woman's gift list, to the anxiety and depression that individuals can
experience sometimes as long as four weeks after the holiday.
According to the study, when it comes to gift preferences, men like gifts
that represent personal recognition or admiration from their partner, while
women want gifts that represent a public display of affection and one that
reinforces the couple's identity. For example, men look forward to receiving
jewelry with personal engravings, items related to their favorite hobbies or
pastimes, and music, movies and computer games. Women, on the other hand,
hope to receive flowers that are delivered to their work or another public
place, as well as items that can be showcased to family and friends such as
new clothes, jewelry, or special photographs of them with their significant
other.
"What we're revealing is that Valentine's Day is a two-way street -- a
time and opportunity for lovers to express and receive special sentiments,"
said Dr. James Houran, chief psychologist at TRUE. "But men and women crave
different sentiments from their partners. The anticipation of giving the
right gift or the prospect of not receiving the right one seems to be creating
noticeable signs of depression and anxiety -- which is popularly known as the
'Valentine's Day Blues.'"
When asked about their expectations and feelings for the holiday, it was
found that 58 percent of the men and 72 percent of the women reported
noticeable signs of depression and anxiety related to Valentine's Day. These
findings strongly echo last year's study on the Valentine's Day Blues by TRUE,
which found that adults who did not participate in or receive tokens of
affection in connection with Valentine's Day exhibited signs of emotional
stress ranging from mild depression to noticeable anxiety. These symptoms
affected men and women in different ways. Whereas the Valentine's Day-related
stress experienced by the men decreased gradually and seemed to disappear
after a maximum of three weeks, similar depression experienced by the women
tended to increase over time and lasted for as many as four weeks after
Valentine's Day.
Chasing Away the Valentine's Day Blues
For those individuals -- either single or in a relationship -- who find
themselves feeling anxious or depressed this Feb. 14, Dr. Houran recommends
engaging in the following:
-- Meet New People: Use True.com to meet a potential soul mate or simply
to make new friends. The True.com chat rooms are a fun and easy way
to connect with people online;
-- Get to Know Yourself Alone or as a Couple: It is crucial to take
breaks and participate in activities that will help you understand
more about yourself and your personal wants/needs, either as yourself
or as a couple. Take the TRUE Compatibility Test(TM) to learn more
about yourself, find someone with whom you're compatible, or even
reaffirm your commitment with that someone special;
-- Put Some Thought into Gift-Giving: Keep in mind that gifts come in
many forms (tangibles, words, deeds, time together, etc.,) and
remember that although it may not be obvious, all gifts were not
created equal in the eyes of the sexes. The proper sentiment is more
important than the price tag;
-- Set Expectations With Your Partner: Tell the significant other in
your life what it is you would like for Valentine's Day, whether it's
a romantic dinner or a massage. Communicate your needs clearly;
-- Change Aspects of Your Daily Routine: If you're not in a
relationship, do something different every day or every week so
you're naturally in a position to meet new people;
-- Hit the Town with Friends: Grab a few friends and hit your favorite
non-romantic restaurant, or take in a sporting event.
About TRUE(TM)
TRUE is safer, savvy, and the only scientifically-based online
relationship service whose mission is to help singles find long lasting and
fulfilling relationships. Founded on an advanced, scientific compatibility
test uniquely endorsed by Psychology Today and independently certified by one
of the leading experts in tests and measurements -- Integrated Knowledge
Systems, Inc. -- to meet the Standards for Educational and Psychological
Testing, TRUE is the only online relationship service that actively seeks to
further protect the safety of its communicating members by conducting
extensive criminal background screenings. Moreover, TRUE is the only site to
conduct single verification screening. With the help of proprietary research
and the industry's most extensive team of scientists, relationship experts and
psychologists, TRUE also guides its members step-by-step through all stages of
the relationship-building process.
SOURCE TRUE
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Related links:
http://www.true.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/919610.html
CONTACT:
Taylor L. Cole, APR of TRUE, +1-972-402-4813,
or Taylor.Cole@true.com ; or Milly Navarro of Ogilvy Public
Relations Worldwide, +1-214-704-7504, or
Milly.Navarro@ogilvypr.com , for TRUE
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