Relationship perceptions and persistence: Do fluctuations in perceived partner commitment undermine dating relationships?

Abstract

The authors propose specific temporal profiles that reflect certainty versus doubt about where a partner stands with respect to a dating relationship over time. Two multiwave longitudinal studies focused on within-participant changes in perceived partner commitment. Results from multilevel modeling indicate that individuals whose perceptions of partner commitment fluctuate over time were more likely to be in a relationship that eventually ended than were individuals whose perceptions remained relatively steady. For individuals in recently initiated relationships, the association of fluctuation in perceived partner commitment with later breakup was significant regardless of the initial level of perceived partner commitment or the trend, and for all participants, it remained significant when initial level, trend over time, and fluctuation over time of other meaningful variables were controlled.

Relational Uncertainty and Relationship Talk within Courtship: A Longitudinal Actor–Partner Interdependence Model

“…The six-week time frame was selected to be sensitive to people's day-to-day experiences of relationship talk (e.g., Acitelli, 2008) and relational uncertainty (e.g., Theiss & Solomon, 2008) while not demanding an excessive time commitment for participants (e.g., Arriaga, 2001;Arriaga, Reed, Goodfriend, & Agnew, 2006;Surra et al, 2009). Students enrolled in communication courses at large universities in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States were invited to participate if (1) they had a romantic interest in a partner, (2) their partner was willing to participate, and (3) both individuals had Internet access.…”

The calm after the storm

“…In doing so, we use a sample of couples who have been together anywhere from 2 months to 44 years. Thus, we extend previous research (Arriaga, 2001;Arriaga et al, 2006;Campbell et al, 2010;Whitton & Whisman, 2010) by focusing on both relatively new relationships and more established relationships and also by examining more specific relational constructs.…”

“…Fluctuating levels of relationship quality are associated with decreased commitment and eventual breakup in dating couples (e.g., Arriaga, 2001); more destructive conflict between dating partners and more relationship problems in cohabiting couples (Campbell, Simpson, Boldry, & Rubin, 2010); and increasing psychological distress, decreasing life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms over time in dating and cohabitating relationships (Whitton, Rhoades, & Whisman, 2014;Whitton & Whisman, 2010). Similarly, greater variability in perceptions of partner commitment is associated with eventual breakup as well (Arriaga, Reed, Goodfriend, & Agnew, 2006). Thus, couples with higher variability in relational constructs are prone to negative outcomes.…”

Revising Working Models Across Time: Relationship Situations That Enhance Attachment Security

“…The unsatiated desire for greater interdependence also may reinforce ambivalent models of others Attachment security enhancement model 21 that combine the desire for greater closeness and inevitable disappointment (Collins & Read, 1994). Chronically anxiously attached individuals typically have tentative and hopeful, but ultimately negative, models of close others and relationship partners, as indicted by unstable evaluations of their romantic relationships (Arriaga, Reed, Goodfriend, & Agnew, 2006;Bartz & Lydon, 2006;Campbell et al, 2005).…”