Why does someone who is high in commitment initiate a breakup? The role of perceived relative commitment and attachment anxiety

Emily E Short, Purdue University

Abstract

Past research has demonstrated that lower commitment to a relationship is associated with higher probability of dissolution (Le & Agnew, 2003). Not surprisingly, then, is the fact that past research has not focused on those who may violate this pattern: those who are high in commitment to their partner yet initiate a breakup. The current research combines considerations from both interdependence and attachment perspectives in understanding conditions that may give rise to exceptions to the “high commitment–low breakup probability” rule. Interdependence research has shown that differing levels of commitment is a vulnerable state and may instigate corrective action. Attachment research has shown that anxiously attached individuals are hyper-vigilant for relationship threatening cues and worry that their partner is not as committed. Consistent with hypotheses, results from longitudinal data obtained from 113 dissolution initiators found that highly committed individuals who feel more committed than they perceive their partner to be have greater attachment anxiety at Time 1, and are more likely to initiate breakup by Time 2, than are those who are less committed than they perceive their partner to be and/or lower in commitment at Time 1. Implications of these results are discussed.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Agnew, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Social psychology

COinS