Exploring How Family and Childhood Parent–Child Relationships Shape Young Adults’ Orientations Toward Romantic Relationships: Narratives of Young Adults Raised by Single Parents in Roma, Lesotho

Research examining how childhood family relationships shape adult romantic orientations in African contexts remains limited. This qualitative narrative study explored how parent–child relationships within single-parent households influence young adults’ orientations toward romantic relationships in Roma, Lesotho. Guided by attachment theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with twelve young adults aged 18–35 who were raised in single-parent households. Data were collected in Sesotho, translated into English, and analyzed thematically. The findings suggest that family structure alone does not determine later romantic outcomes. Rather, the quality of parent–child relationships plays a central role in shaping adult romantic orientations. Participants who described emotionally supportive, communicative, and nurturing relationships with custodial parents expressed greater openness to intimacy and relational stability. In contrast, participants exposed to emotional distance, harsh parenting, parental rejection, or intimate partner violence reported avoidance of commitment, mistrust, and uncertainty regarding romantic involvement. Limited involvement from non-custodial parents also contributed to identity insecurity and relational caution. The study extends attachment-informed family research within a Southern African context and highlights the enduring influence of early relational experiences on adult romantic functioning.