"How Many Past Relationships Can You Accept?"... Unexpected Results When the Number Exceeds Four [Health Talk]

[The Financial News] A study has been released examining how a partner’s past romantic experiences affect their attractiveness as a potential mate.
According to Kormedi.com on the 31st, a research team from Swansea University surveyed 5,331 people across 11 countries on five continents to investigate how the number of previous sexual partners influences perceived attractiveness.
The researchers presented participants with visual profiles of hypothetical individuals who had four, twelve, or thirty-six previous sexual partners. Participants then rated how willing they would be to enter into a long-term, committed relationship with each individual based on these images.
The results showed that participants found individuals with fewer previous partners more attractive. Notably, willingness to pursue a long-term relationship dropped significantly when the number of past partners reached four and again at twelve.
This trend was consistent among both male and female participants. Both men and women preferred potential long-term partners who had fewer previous relationships.
The timing of acquiring partners was also an important factor. Those who had recently experienced a rapid increase in the number of partners were rated least attractive, while those whose frequency of partner changes had decreased over time received higher scores.
The research team explained, "A decrease in partner change frequency can be interpreted as a sign that someone is ready to settle down with one person."
Meanwhile, according to last year's World Population Review, the average number of lifetime sexual partners among Koreans is around two, ranking among the lowest globally.
In the United Kingdom, men reportedly have an average of 14.14 partners, while women have 7.12.

Jealousy is a common emotion in romantic relationships. According to a 2017 study involving couples in counseling, 79% of men and 66% of women reported experiencing jealousy.
However, persistently questioning your partner about their exes and constantly comparing yourself to them may indicate Rebecca syndrome. This term refers to the jealousy one feels toward a partner’s or spouse’s previous lovers or relationships.
The term 'Rebecca syndrome' originates from the 1938 novel 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier.
In the novel, the female protagonist marries a widowed aristocrat, only to find his mansion filled with reminders of his late wife, Rebecca. Everyone praises Rebecca’s beauty and perfection, causing the protagonist to become increasingly jealous and lose her sense of self.
Psychoanalyst and founder of the London Freud Centre for Psychoanalysis and Research, Dr. Darian Leader, coined the term 'Rebecca syndrome' inspired by this novel.
People with Rebecca syndrome often imagine their partner and their partner’s ex sharing happy moments together. They may also assume the ex was more intelligent, attractive, or appealing than themselves.
Professor Toby Ingham of the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychology warned, "Over time, this state can worsen and lead to self-loathing. It may even trigger depression, anxiety disorders, or obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD)." OCD refers to the repeated intrusion of thoughts, images, or impulses that are meaningless or unnecessary to the individual.
To overcome Rebecca syndrome, it is important to recognize that your partner’s ex has no bearing on your current relationship.
A 2018 study found that Social Networking Service (SNS) platforms make it easy to access detailed information about a partner’s past relationships, which can fuel Rebecca syndrome.
Experts advise against closely examining your partner’s old SNS records. Even if you are curious, it is best to avoid asking about their previous relationships.
Most importantly, focus on boosting your self-esteem. If you find it difficult to do so alone, consider seeking help from a Department of Psychiatry specialist.
moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter