Premarital Relatonship
DISHARMONY: PREMARITAL RELATIONSHIP DISSOLUTION
A Dissertation
Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Notre Dame in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
by Clint C. Elison
David M. Klein, Director
Graduate Program in Sociology Notre Dame, Indiana July 2010
© Copyright 2010 Clint C. Elison
DISHARMONY: PREMARITAL RELATIONSHIP DISSOLUTION
Abstract by Clint C. Elison
Using data from the RELATE Institute, this dissertation explores three aspects of premarital relationship dissolution: 1) the experience of breaking up; 2) the occurrence of positive breakups; and 3) a comparison of the factors that lead some couples to break up and others to stay together or marry. Premarital romantic partners completed a relationship evaluation instrument and were contacted eighteen months later to investigate changes in their relationship. If the respondents were no longer dating their time 1 partner, they were asked to complete a breakup instrument. Employing quantitative methods including OLS and logistic regression, the results indicate that a greater level of commitment between partners, such as cohabiting or engagement, leads to a more difficult breakup experience. One-sided relationships, where one partner is more committed, usually result in one-sided breakups. Forming a new relationship helps to overcome negative aspects of a breakup. Overall, breakups do not have long-term negative consequences for people, even if they get dumped. Most breakups can be considered positive, but most are not friendly.
Clint C. Elison The friendliness of a breakup is influenced most by the relationship quality and the difference in partners’ commitment levels near the end, and by the breakup method (e.g., a sudden decision by one partner, a fight, or a discussion with a joint decision). Years after a breakup, a person’s feelings about the ending of their relationship are influenced by the friendliness of
A Dissertation
Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Notre Dame in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
by Clint C. Elison
David M. Klein, Director
Graduate Program in Sociology Notre Dame, Indiana July 2010
© Copyright 2010 Clint C. Elison
DISHARMONY: PREMARITAL RELATIONSHIP DISSOLUTION
Abstract by Clint C. Elison
Using data from the RELATE Institute, this dissertation explores three aspects of premarital relationship dissolution: 1) the experience of breaking up; 2) the occurrence of positive breakups; and 3) a comparison of the factors that lead some couples to break up and others to stay together or marry. Premarital romantic partners completed a relationship evaluation instrument and were contacted eighteen months later to investigate changes in their relationship. If the respondents were no longer dating their time 1 partner, they were asked to complete a breakup instrument. Employing quantitative methods including OLS and logistic regression, the results indicate that a greater level of commitment between partners, such as cohabiting or engagement, leads to a more difficult breakup experience. One-sided relationships, where one partner is more committed, usually result in one-sided breakups. Forming a new relationship helps to overcome negative aspects of a breakup. Overall, breakups do not have long-term negative consequences for people, even if they get dumped. Most breakups can be considered positive, but most are not friendly.
Clint C. Elison The friendliness of a breakup is influenced most by the relationship quality and the difference in partners’ commitment levels near the end, and by the breakup method (e.g., a sudden decision by one partner, a fight, or a discussion with a joint decision). Years after a breakup, a person’s feelings about the ending of their relationship are influenced by the friendliness of