Dr. Paul Richard Amato, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Jeffery Todd Ulmer, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
breakup reunite dating
Abstract:
This exploratory study examines the relationships of seven couples, seeking to understand the significance of breaking up and reuniting. Participants responded to questions regarding meeting their partner, dating, the breakup, pre-marital counseling, obstacles overcome, marriage, and the future. Rusbult’s investment model, the life course model, and the enduring dynamics model were examined in relation to couples’ thoughts and actions. In the long run, breaking up with one’s partner prior to marriage was not found to be detrimental to one’s marital relationship if the original reasons for breaking up were addressed. Potential areas of future study are also presented.
