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.
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.
Rights Holder
Family Process Institute
Provenance
Received from CHORUS
Language
English (eng)
Publication Title
Family Process
Volume
58
Issue
1
First Page
214
Last Page
231
ISSN
1545-5300
PubMed ID
30294892
Recommended Citation
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