Perceptions of love across the lifespan: differences in passion, intimacy, and commitment

This study investigated perceptions of love across the lifespan using Sternberg’s triangular theory of love, which distinguishes between passion, intimacy, and commitment. The study aimed to (a) investigate the psychometric properties of the short Triangular Love Scale (TLS-short) in adolescents and adults (see Appendix), and (b) track age and gender differences in the three love components of the TLS-short in a sample of 12- to 88-year-olds (N = 2791). The three-factor structure of the TLS-short was confirmed in both the adolescent and adult sample. Adolescents (12-17 years) reported lower levels of all love components compared to young adults (18-30 years). Late adults (50+) reported lower levels of passion and intimacy, but similar levels of commitment compared to young (18-30 years) and middle adults (30-50 years). Gender differences in the perceptions of all three love components were present but less sizeable than suggested in popular accounts and earlier academic research.