Perceived relational stability in on-again/off-again relationships

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2932746
AutoresRené M Dailey (0000-0002-9414-9089, University of Texas at Austin, USA, autor correspondente), Ashley V Middleton (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA), Erik W Green (Concordia University Texas)
Ano2012
Volume29
Fascículo1
Páginas52-76
Data de publicação2012-02-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407511420192
OpenAlexW2172059966
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas18
Referências citadas47

This study assessed characteristics associated with on-again/off-again (on-off) partners' perceived relational stability. We employed a three-category conceptualization of stability in which participants were classified as believing the relationship was relatively stable, permanently dissolved, or continuing to cycle between breakups and renewals. Investment theory was first used to distinguish the three stability groups with satisfaction and alternatives mostly strongly associated with perceived stability. We also assessed specific characteristics salient to on-off relationships. Most were associated with perceived stability, but relational uncertainty, relational stress, positive feelings about the relationship, and number of renewals emerged as the best discriminators. Overall, the cycling group reported moderate levels of most characteristics along with greater uncertainty, suggesting they have a more ambivalent view of their relationship

Ambivalence · Conceptualization · Developmental psychology · Feeling · Salient · Stability (learning theory · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Customer Service Quality and Loyalty · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Psychology · Social Psychology