Commitment among unmarried emerging adults: Meaning, expectations, and formation of relationships

Relational skills gained through forming committed romantic partnerships in emerging adulthood (ages 18–29) provide the foundation for sustained intimacy in later adult relationships. Commitment is a crucial relational factor affecting the quality and longevity of romantic relationships. This qualit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of social and personal relationships Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 1317 - 1342
Main Authors Konstam, Varda, Curran, Teyana, Celen-Demirtas, Selda, Karwin, Samantha, Bryant, Kimberly, Andrews, Bonnie, Duffy, Ryan
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.04.2019
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects
Adults
Commitment
Couples
Intimacy
Life transitions
Meaning
Partnerships
Qualitative research
Research methodology
Romantic relationships
relationship formation
romance
Commitment
romantic relationships
emerging adults
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Summary:Relational skills gained through forming committed romantic partnerships in emerging adulthood (ages 18–29) provide the foundation for sustained intimacy in later adult relationships. Commitment is a crucial relational factor affecting the quality and longevity of romantic relationships. This qualitative study examined the meaning, expectations, and formation of commitment in romantic relationships among 29 emerging adults using consensual qualitative research methodology. Four categories pertaining to commitment were identified: (a) meaning of commitment; (b) expectations of a committed romantic relationship; (c) considerations made prior to commitment; and (d) experience with commitment talk. Though the majority of the participants could readily identify meanings and expectations of a committed romantic relationship, they hesitated to communicate their desire with their partners. Clinical implications are discussed.
ISSN:0265-4075
1460-3608
DOI:10.1177/0265407518762322