The impact of past dating relationship solidarity on commitment,satisfaction, and investment in current relationships |
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| Authors: | Andy J Merolla Keith D Weber Scott A Myers Melanie Booth‐Butterfield |
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| Institution: | 1. Doctoral student in the School of Communication , The Ohio State University , 3016 Derby Hall, 154 N. Oval Mall, Columbus, OH, 43210 E-mail: merolla.1@osu.edu.;2. Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies , West Virginia University;3. Professor in the Department of Communication Studies , West Virginia University |
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to determine how previous romantic relationships impact subsequent romantic relationships. Specifically, this study examined if past relationship solidarity is related to current relationship commitment, satisfaction, and investment among individuals in dating relationships. Participants were 204 undergraduates at an Eastern university who were currently in a dating relationship. Results indicated that past relationship solidarity is significantly and negatively related to current relationship commitment and satisfaction, but not significantly related to current investment. Several moderating variables were also examined, including the nature and attribution of individuals' breakups, the length of past and current relationships, and participant sex. Results revealed that the nature and style of past breakups were particularly salient moderating variables, such that past solidarity was related to future relationship commitment and satisfaction only when breakups were mutual and somewhat ambiguous. Furthermore, these relationships were significant only for women and not men. |
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| Keywords: | solidarity commitment satisfaction investment |
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