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Relationship resources for coping with unfulfilled standards in dating relationships: Commitment, satisfaction, and closeness

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, aalexan{at}siue.edu

Two studies investigated the coping strategies that individuals use when dealing with unfulfilled relationship standards in dating relationships. In Study 1, inductive analysis of openended data revealed 26 coping strategies (N = 217). In Study 2, these strategies were used to develop a scale that was administered to a new sample (N = 505) and to explore the coping resources individuals draw upon when dealing with unfulfilled standards. Results suggested a ten-factor solution of coping strategies: punishing, reframing, clarifying, self-disparaging, exiting, distancing, modeling, seeking social support, using humor, and escaping. Analyses indicated that each of these sets of coping strategies was significantly linked to relationship coping resources: personal, moral, and structural commitment, relationship satisfaction, and closeness.

Key Words: commitment • closeness • coping resources • coping strategies • dating relationships • relationship standards • relationship satisfaction

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 25, No. 5, 725-747 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407508093783


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