Unequally into “Us”: Characteristics of Individuals in Asymmetrically Committed Relationships

Publication Date

3-2019

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Psychology

Keywords

Commitment, Couples therapy, Attachment

Abstract

This study examined characteristics of individuals that are associated with being in asymmetrically committed relationships (ACRs), defined as romantic relationships in which there was a substantial difference in the commitment levels of the partners. These ACRs were studied in a national sample of unmarried, opposite‐sex romantic relationships (N = 315 couples). Perceiving oneself as having more potential alternative partners was associated with increased odds of being the less committed partner in an ACR compared to not being in an ACR, as was being more attachment avoidant, having more prior relationship partners, and having a history of extradyadic sex during the present relationship. Additionally, having parents who never married was associated with being the less committed partner in an ACR but parental divorce was not. Although fewer characteristics were associated with being the more committed partner within an ACR, more attachment anxiety was associated with increased odds of being in such a position compared to not being in an ACR. We also address how some findings change when controlling for commitment levels. Overall, the findings advance understanding of commitment in romantic relationships, particularly when there are substantial asymmetries involved. Implications for both research on asymmetrical commitment as well as practice (e.g., therapy or relationship education) are discussed.

Copyright Date

10-7-2018

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Rights Holder

Family Process Institute

Provenance

Received from CHORUS

Language

English (eng)

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the Family Process Institute. User is responsible for all copyright compliance. This article was originally published as:

Stanley, S. M., Rhoades, G. K., Kelmer, G., Scott, S. B., Markman, H. J., & Fincham, F. D. (2019). Unequally into “us”: Characteristics of individuals in asymmetrically committed relationships. Family Process, 58(1), 214-231. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12397

Accepted Manuscript is openly available through the "Link to Full Text" button.

The published Version of Record is available at libraries through Compass or Worldcat.

Publication Title

Family Process

Volume

58

Issue

1

First Page

214

Last Page

231

ISSN

1545-5300

PubMed ID

30294892

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