Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Moderating Effects Of Rituals On Commitment In Premarital Involvements, Kelly Campbell, James J. Ponzetti

Psychology Faculty Publications

This study examined how rituals were associated with commitment, and to what extent rituals moderated the investment model variables (i.e., satisfaction level, investment size, and alternatives) on commitment. Although rituals promote commitment in marital and family relationships, the salience of rituals to commitment in premarital involvements has not been investigated. University students (N=100) who agreed to participate were in a couple relationship but not married. Findings indicated that rituals were significant predictors of commitment; however, no unique variance was accounted for once investment model variables were taken into consideration. Rituals significantly moderated the relationship between alternatives and investments, and commitment. …