The Investment Model: Its Antecedents and Predictors of Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

Intimate relationships are an integral part of our lives, but the rate of relationship breakups is high. We explored the role of the investment model and the traits that influence investments on relationship satisfaction among 146 volunteers (age M = 28.76 years, SD = 10.23). Relationship satisfaction was predicted by investments, which in turn were predicted by attachment, personality and love style. Clinicians working with individuals or couples with relationship issues may benefit from knowing how invested they are in the relationship and their love style. Insight into imbalances in these constructs between partners may be used to facilitate relationship satisfaction.

Can a kiss conquer all? The predictive utility of idealized first kiss beliefs on reports of romantic love among U.S. adults

“…Moreover, consistent with H1, the results from Study One indicated that those who endorsed idealized first kiss beliefs to a greater extent also reported being more in love with their current romantic partner than those endorsing these beliefs to a lesser extent. This relationship aligns and extends existing literature that has identified an association between idealized romantic belief endorsement and higher relationship satisfaction ( Vannier and O’Sullivan, 2017 ; Kretz, 2019 ), which has been positively associated with love ( Hendrick et al, 1988 ; Morrow et al, 1995 ; Vedes et al, 2016 ; Moore and Campbell, 2020 ).…”

“…5 This relationship aligns and extends existing literature that has identified an association between idealized romantic belief endorsement and higher relationship satisfaction (Vannier and O'Sullivan, 2017;Kretz, 2019), which has been positively associated with love (Hendrick et al, 1988;Morrow et al, 1995;Vedes et al, 2016;Moore and Campbell, 2020).…”

“…Researchers have argued that romantic love serves a variety of functions related to mate selection/pair-bonding and also as a prerequisite for relationship longevity and satisfaction ( Dion and Dion, 1996 ; Willi, 1997 ). As a result, romantic love has been associated with greater feelings of self-fulfillment, self-expression ( Dion and Dion, 1991 ), self-esteem, subjective well-being ( Acevedo and Aron, 2009 ), and relationship satisfaction (e.g., Hendrick et al, 1988 ; Morrow et al, 1995 ; Vedes et al, 2016 ; Moore and Campbell, 2020 ).…”

Does it pay to invest in your couple relationship?

“…The sense that one's partner is investing in the relationship indicates that they are prepared to satisfy the other partner's needs (Moore & Campbell, 2020). Specific investments in a relationship comprise contributions that “individuals bring to a relationship or do in a relationship that influences their exchange value to the partner” (Ellis, 1998, p. 384).…”

“…This commitment increases as relationship satisfaction increases, and also as the quality of alternatives diminishes and as greater relationship investments are made (Tran et al, 2019). Rusbult and colleagues found a significant correlation between partners' perceived investment in their relationship and the relationship duration, and the partners' commitment to and satisfaction with it (Rusbult et al, 1986, as cited in Moore & Campbell, 2020). Predictive models of relationship satisfaction indicate that individuals experience relationship satisfaction when their basic needs, such as affection and companionship, are fulfilled in these relationships.…”