Commitment and Sacrifice in Emerging Adult Romantic Relationships

Abstract

The development of commitment and satisfaction with sacrifice has been associated with relationship health and stability. Given the importance of early romantic relationships, the purpose of the present study was to explore how these constructs relate and develop in an emerging adult population (n = 246). Through an initial confirmatory factor analysis, we found the two constructs can be distinct. Then, using interdependence theory and a cross-lagged model over three time points, we found support for a bidirectional relationship between commitment and satisfaction with sacrifice. In addition, we found a main effect for relationship length and instability (i.e., cycling) on Time 1 and Time 3 dedication respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• commitment
• dating relationships
• early adulthood
• interdependence

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This article is part of a project completed as a thesis with collaboration from a thesis committee consisting of chair Amber Vennum, Ph.D., and members Jared Anderson, Ph.D., Walter R. Schumm, Ph.D., and Jared Durtschi, Ph.D. The present study used data from a larger study on young adult romantic relationships collected by the Family Institute at The Florida State University supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (no. 90FE0022) awarded to Dr. Frank D. Fincham.