The association between partner evaluations and accommodation in romantic relationships: The moderating role of commitment

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the association between evaluating a romantic partner as deviating from relationship ideals (i.e., ideal-partner discrepancy) and a widely studied form of self-regulatory behavior in romantic relationships—accommodation (i.e., inhibiting one’s own destructive relationship behaviors and enacting constructive behaviors). We also consider the moderating role of relationship commitment. Two studies tested these associations using self-reports (Study 1, N = 450 individuals) and by observing accommodation behaviors in couples (Study 2, N = 116 dyads). Across both studies, a negative-ideal partner discrepancy (i.e., a partner is deemed as falling below ideals) was associated with more accommodation when relationship commitment was high than for when it was low. The findings provide novel insights into understanding accommodation behavior in romantic relationships.