Who are “We”? Couple Identity Clarity and Romantic Relationship Commitment

Lydia F. Emery; Wendi L. Gardner; Kathleen L. Carswell; Eli J. Finkel

doi:10.1177/0146167220921717

Who are “We”? Couple Identity Clarity and Romantic Relationship Commitment

Lydia F. Emery^*, Wendi L. Gardner, Kathleen L. Carswell, Eli J. Finkel

^*Corresponding author for this work

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

This research introduces the construct of couple identity clarity—the extent to which an individual, as one of two partners in a romantic relationship, believes that the two of them know who they are as a couple. Cross-sectional (Studies 1–2), experimental (Study 3), and longitudinal (Study 4) studies supported the hypothesis that couple identity clarity is associated with higher commitment. Moreover, higher couple identity clarity, although related to actual agreement between partners on their identity as a couple, predicted commitment above and beyond agreement (Study 2)—as well as predicted reduced likelihood of relationship dissolution over a 9-month period (Study 4). Exploratory analyses revealed that successful conflict resolution may enhance couple identity clarity, in turn predicting commitment (Study 4). These studies highlight the importance of people’s understanding of who they are as a couple and how this understanding shapes relationship persistence.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	146-160
Number of pages	15
Journal	Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Volume	47
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167220921717
State	Published - Jan 2021

Funding

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship awarded to Lydia F. Emery, a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship awarded to Kathleen L. Carswell, and a Northwestern Graduate Research Grant awarded to Kathleen L. Carswell.

Keywords

commitment
couple identity clarity
relationships
self-concept clarity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology

Access to Document

10.1177/0146167220921717

Cite this

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abstract = "This research introduces the construct of couple identity clarity—the extent to which an individual, as one of two partners in a romantic relationship, believes that the two of them know who they are as a couple. Cross-sectional (Studies 1–2), experimental (Study 3), and longitudinal (Study 4) studies supported the hypothesis that couple identity clarity is associated with higher commitment. Moreover, higher couple identity clarity, although related to actual agreement between partners on their identity as a couple, predicted commitment above and beyond agreement (Study 2)—as well as predicted reduced likelihood of relationship dissolution over a 9-month period (Study 4). Exploratory analyses revealed that successful conflict resolution may enhance couple identity clarity, in turn predicting commitment (Study 4). These studies highlight the importance of people{\textquoteright}s understanding of who they are as a couple and how this understanding shapes relationship persistence.",

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Who are “We”? Couple Identity Clarity and Romantic Relationship Commitment

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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