Seeking and ensuring interdependence: Commitment desirability and the initiation and maintenance of close relationships

Author

Kenneth TAN, Singapore Management UniversityFollow
Christopher R. AGNEW, Purdue University
Benjamin W. HADDEN, Florida Atlantic University

Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

1-2020

Abstract

The current research offers and examines the concept of commitment desirability, defined as the subjective desire to be involved in a committed romantic relationship at a given time. In pursuing their desire for a committed romance, how do individuals high in commitment desirability strategically ensure success? We suggest that high perceived partner commitment is sought by individuals who themselves desire to be involved in a committed relationship. In three studies involving individuals both currently involved and not involved in a relationship, we found support for the hypothesized interactive effect of commitment desirability and perceived partner commitment, such that greater commitment desirability was associated with more positive relationship outcomes, especially when partners were perceived to be high in commitment. The present research suggests that commitment desirability is a meaningful predictor of relationship attitudes and behaviors. Implications for understanding relationship commitment as well as future research directions are discussed.

Keywords

commitment, commitment desirability, close relationships, relationship receptivity, perceived partner commitment

Discipline

Personality and Social Contexts | Social Psychology | Social Psychology and Interaction

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Volume

46

Issue

1

First Page

36

Last Page

50

ISSN

0146-1672

Identifier

10.1177/0146167219841633

Publisher

SAGE

Citation

TAN, Kenneth, AGNEW, Christopher R., & HADDEN, Benjamin W..(2020). Seeking and ensuring interdependence: Commitment desirability and the initiation and maintenance of close relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(1), 36-50.

Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2843

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167219841633