An investigation of the role of the investment model and attachment in the dissolution of nonmarital romantic relationships

This study was carried out to determine whether or not attachment would enhance our ability to predict the breakup of nonmarital romantic relationships. In phase one of the study, 217 introductory psychology students completed measures of attachment, satisfaction, investments, alternatives, commitment, length of current relationship, and asserts that commitment to a relationship will be greater to hundred thirteen of these individuals were contacted seven weeks later to follow-up on the status of their relationships. Fifty-four of these relationships had ended at follow-up. Through regression analyses, only moderate support was found for the investment model. This model the extent that an individual is highly satisfied, has invested heavily in it, and does not see his/her alternatives as particularly attractive. Contrary to predictions, than it was to the length of the of time spent associating with the attachment was found to be more strongly related to investments and commitment relationship or the amount partner. Whatever contribution attachment may have made to the prediction of breakup appears to have been suppressed by commitment, which was found to be the best single predictor of breakup. Finally, more women than men were found to be the initiators of the breakup of their relationships, but these differences were only marginally significant.Department of Psychological ScienceThesis (M.A.