University researcher is very single-minded

Jeff Miller would like to meet single people who are not in any kind of serious relationship, are at least 25 years old and do not have any children.

However, Mr Miller is no lonely-hearts dating hopeful - in fact he's a serious PhD student at the University of Queensland.

Under the supervision of Dr Judy Feeney, senior lecturer at the School of Psychology, Mr Miller is running a series of studies looking at the lives of single people.

He said remaining single was becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the more traditional option of getting married.

'More and more people are choosing to remain single rather than becoming involved in a committed relationship. In addition, increasing divorce rates are leaving more people single,' Mr Miller said.

'The media are also placing greater emphasis on the lives of single people. For example, popular television shows like Seinfeld, Friends and The Single Guy build stories around the relationships and other life experiences of single characters.'

Volunteers have already taken part in a number of small group discussions and Mr Miller said several important and interesting themes had emerged.

'Issues that appear to be important include how singles are seen by others, reasons for being single, the need and desire for close relationships, the importance of friendships and other relationships, sexual behaviour and attitudes, and the desire to be parents,' Mr Miller said.

'Further studies are now being conducted to look more closely at some of these issues. We are looking for people who are not currently married, engaged, living in a de facto relationship or otherwise involved in a serious, committed relationship.'

Mr Miller said participation in this part of the study would involve spending about an hour filling in a questionnaire.

'In return, we will be holding a casual wine and cheese to thank participants for their time and effort, and to give them the opportunity to meet other single people,' Mr Miller said.

'For those not interested in the social gathering, questionnaires can be mailed out and completed at home.'

For further information, contact either Jeff Miller (telephone 3365 1256) or Dr Judy Feeney (telephone 3365 6412).