By Douglas LaBier • July 15, 2019

If you’re not feeling so certain about committing to your relationship, then it’s best to not do it. If you ignore your inner voice and commit anyway, you’re much less likely to have long-term relationship success. That’s apparent from a new study that found commitment “readiness” is a good predictor of relationship success.

According to the Purdue University study’s lead author Chris Agnew, “Feeling ready leads to better relational outcomes and well-being,” It amplifies the effect of psychological commitment on relationship maintenance and stability, he added. Moreover, The reverse is also true: The study found that when a person feels less ready for commitment while in a relationship, they are less likely to act in ways to support that relationship.

The study was based on over 400 adults in committed relationships. It looked at their sense that the current time was right for the relationship, their satisfaction with the relationship, and their investments in it. The findings revealed a strong correlation between one’s current sense of readiness and one’s commitment level. Greater readiness predicted lower likelihood of leaving a relationship. Those feeling greater readiness to commit were 25% less likely to breakup over time.

The study is described in more detail here, and published in Social Psychology and Personality Science.

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