Department of Psychology, University of Denver, University Park, CO.
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Denver, CO.
Fam Process. 2019 Mar;58(1):214-231. doi: 10.1111/famp.12397. Epub 2018 Oct 7.
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.
本研究考察了与非对称承诺关系（ACRs）相关的个体特征，非对称承诺关系被定义为伴侣双方承诺水平存在显著差异的浪漫关系。在一项针对未婚异性恋关系的全国性样本（N=315 对情侣）中研究了这些 ACR。与没有处于 ACR 中的人相比，认为自己有更多潜在的替代伴侣的人更有可能成为 ACR 中承诺程度较低的一方，而回避依恋、有更多前任伴侣和在当前关系中有婚外性行为史的人也更有可能成为 ACR 中承诺程度较低的一方。此外，父母从未结婚与在 ACR 中处于承诺程度较低的一方有关，但父母离婚则没有。虽然与 ACR 中处于更承诺一方相关的特征较少，但与不处于 ACR 相比，更强烈的依恋焦虑与处于这种关系的可能性增加有关。我们还讨论了当控制承诺水平时，一些发现如何变化。总的来说，这些发现增进了对浪漫关系中承诺的理解，特别是当存在实质性的不对称时。讨论了对非对称承诺研究以及实践（例如，治疗或关系教育）的影响。
