University of Twente Student Theses
Romantic Relationships and Well-Being : Differences in Commitment and Well-Being between Online vs. Traditionally Initiated Romantic Relationships.
Schaaij, J.G. (2021) Romantic Relationships and Well-Being : Differences in Commitment and Well-Being between Online vs. Traditionally Initiated Romantic Relationships.
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| Abstract: | Being in a romantic relationship has been shown to increase the individuals’ sense of well-being indirectly through relationship satisfaction or quality. A general trend regarding the increased use of online dating platforms and delayed commitment can be observed. Dating apps are often used as means to find partners to have uncommitted relationships with. Nevertheless, commitment has been shown to increase relationship satisfaction, quality, and stability, resulting in higher levels of well-being for individuals. Additionally, literature suggests that commitment differs between online initiated relationships (OIR) and offline, traditionally initiated relationships (TIR). With this thesis, the association between the variables relationship initiation, whether OIR or TIR, commitment, and the well-being of the individuals in a relationship are examined in a cross-sectional study. The final dataset included 390 participants who filled in an online questionnaire. By performing t-tests and regression analyses of the variables the extent to which the well-being of individuals differ between online and traditionally initiated romantic relationships is examined while taking commitment into account. Results indicated that the initiation of the relationship was not a significant predictor for commitment, nor well-being. Furthermore, a ‘no effect non-mediation’ was found, which rejected the hypothesis that commitment had a mediating role on an initiation-well-being relationship. Excluding initiation, commitment alone showed, as expected, to be a significant predictor for well-being. Oppositely to the expectations, no differences between TIR and OIR were found. The results imply that well-being does not differ between online and offline initiated romantic relationships, independent of whether commitment is taken into account. Moreover, relationship initiation does not play an important role for the well-being of individuals, while commitment within the relationship does. These insights can be applied, for example, for dating services or within (relationship) therapy and counselling to help individuals increase their well-being. Furthermore, future research could deepen the understanding of influences on well-being and commitment by focusing on additional factors. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/86673 |
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