Relationship Status and Psychological Well-being: Initial Evidence for the Moderating Effects of Commitment Readiness

Kenneth Tan (), Daniel Ho and Christopher R. Agnew
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Kenneth Tan: Singapore Management University
Daniel Ho: Singapore Management University
Christopher R. Agnew: Purdue University

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2023, vol. 24, issue 8, No 7, 2563-2581

Abstract: Abstract Past research has suggested that the association between romantic relationship status (i.e., single vs. coupled) and well-being can be dependent on different aspects of an individual’s personal life. In the current research, we examined whether commitment readiness (i.e., the subjective sense that the current time is “right” to be in a committed romantic relationship) moderates the link between current relationship status and psychological well-being. With correlational data obtained from three independent samples (two from Singapore, one cross-cultural comparison between Singapore and USA), we found a significant moderating effect of commitment readiness. Coupled individuals higher in readiness reported greater levels of well-being than single individuals, whereas coupled individuals lower in readiness reported lower levels of well-being compared to their single counterparts. Implications regarding the role of commitment readiness in well-being are discussed.

Keywords: Relationship status; Well-being; Single; Relationship receptivity; Commitment readiness; Commitment desirability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00692-w

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