Whether a intimate relationship can be stable for a long time is an issue that many people care about. The Investment Model of Commitment proposed by Professor Rusbult is a good tool to predict the stability of intimate relationships. The key factors affecting relationship stability include relationship satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and investment size. By analyzing partners’ relationship satisfaction, availability of other optional relationships, and the time, emotions, and other aspects invested in the current relationship, we can better understand whether the relationship will last. This article will introduce the theory of Investment Model of Commitment, explain its three core factors, and provide a case analysis to illustrate how to use this model to assess relationship stability.
Relationship satisfaction is the foundation for lasting relationships
Relationship satisfaction refers to the degree to which one’s needs are met by their partner. The more positive emotions and fewer expectations one has in the relationship, and the lower one’s comparison level is, the more satisfied one feels about the relationship. Satisfaction level is positively correlated with relationship stability. James and Luna have been dating for 5 years in a long-distance relationship. Because they live in different cities focusing on their own work and children, they don’t have high expectations for the relationship and are quite satisfied despite not being together most of time. Their high relationship satisfaction contributes to the stability of their relationship.
Quality of alternatives affects loyalty
The quality of alternatives refers to how likely it is for one to leave the current relationship and start a new relationship with another person. James is a 37-year-old divorced man with two children, which makes it harder for him to find other romantic relationships. Luna is a 45-year-old career-focused woman who barely has time and energy to seek other relationships. Their low quality of alternatives reinforces their loyalty to the current relationship and is conducive to its stability.
Investment size increases relationship commitment
Investment size includes one’s direct investments into the relationship, like money, time, privacy sharing, sacrifices, etc., and indirect investments, like shared social circles, memories, possessions, and activities. James and Luna have been dating long-distance for 5 years, so they must have invested significant time, energy and money into traveling to see each other. These trips also generate precious shared memories for them. With increased investments, the cost of leaving this relationship rises, which helps enhance their commitment and relationship stability.
Use the Investment Model to assess relationship stability
Synthesizing the above analysis on James and Luna’s relationship satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and investment size, we can see that all three factors are at high levels, indicating strong relationship commitment and stability. Even though there are some risks like their age and background differences, the Investment Model of Commitment framework suggests their 5-year long-distance romance still has good prospects to continue.
The Investment Model of Commitment successfully integrates multiple key predictive factors like satisfaction level, quality of alternatives and investment size to help people better analyze the stability prospects of their intimate relationships, providing a useful framework for making relationship decisions.