Predicting Commitment in New Relationships: Interactive Effects of Relational Self-construal and Power

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that individuals with highly relational selfconstruals define the self in terms of close relationships and tend to behave in ways that enhance the development and maintenance of important relationships (Cross, Morris, & Gore, 2002). Other research suggests that having power in a situation allows one to pursue important goals, which we hypothesize may also include relationship goals. We examined how relational self-construal and power interacted with self-disclosure and forgiveness to predict commitment in new college roommate relationships over the course of a semester. Analyses revealed that self-disclosure and forgiveness were strong predictors of commitment and change in commitment. Furthermore, relational self-construal and power moderated the association of selfdisclosure and forgiveness with commitment.

Turning inward versus outward: Relationship work in young adults and romantic functioning

“…Happiness was greater for those who turned most frequently to partners as opposed to friends, which is not surprising as disclosure to a partner has been associated with increased fondness and intimacy (Finkenauer et al, ). RW with a partner was also linked with greater commitment, which is consistent with the finding of Terzino and Cross () that disclosure is a strong predictor of commitment among young adults. It therefore appears that if individuals are only going to have discussions about their romantic relationship with one individual, they should seek out their romantic partner over a close friend.…”

The Forgiving Organization: A Multilevel Model of Forgiveness at Work

“…More directly, recent findings by Ysseldyk and Wohl (2011) indicate that forgiveness exerts a direct, causal effect on commitment within the victimoffender dyad. This is true not only for deeply entrenched, long-term relationships but for newly formed relationships as well (Terzino & Cross, 2009). Beyond the dyadic level, social network dynamics further imply additional effects on relationships broadly construed.…”

An Investigation of the Linkage between Relationship Status (Single vs. Partnered), Identity Dimensions and Self-construals in a Sample of Polish Young Adults

“…Differences in the nature and structure of self-construals may result in different orientations toward relationships with others and different ways of managing relationships (Cross & Madson, 1997). In particular, variation in relational self-construal was associated with levels of self-disclosure, responsiveness, commitment to a new relationship partner (Terzino & Cross, 2009). Prior research (e.g., Cross & Madson, 1997;Gore, Cross, & Morris, 2006;Markus & Kitayama, 1991) has supported the assumption that individuals with an interdependent self-construal who primarily define themselves in terms of close relationships may seek to develop and maintain close relationships with others.…”

“…Interestingly, although the subjects of identity and self-construals have been widely investigated -also by Polish researchers (e.g., Brzezińska & Piotrowski, 2010b;Cieciuch, 2010;Senejko, 2010) and Pilarska (2014) respectively -we still lack substantial knowledge about the linkage between identity and self-construals, and young adults' relationship status (single vs. partnered; i.e., possessing a lifetime partner or not). Second, many factors influence the desire to commit in a new relationship, and one of these factors includes the degree to which an individual has defined the self in terms of close relationships (Terzino & Cross, 2009).…”