Reasons for remaining in a relationship and responses to relational transgressions

Although relational transgressions constitute a potential relational threat , research suggests that some relationships survive them. However, few stud ies inform as to why individuals try to maintain these relationships, and t he impact of their reasons on how they react to transgressions. We report t he results of a study among undergraduates in dating relationships that exa mines staying in a relationship with a transgressor due either to fear of l osing a partner or to emotional involvement, and cognitive and communicatio n responses to a transgression. As predicted, staying in such a relationshi p due to fear of losing one's partner was associated with a variety of nega tive responses, whereas staying because of emotional involvement was relate d to positive reactions. Implications of these findings for future research and conflict management are discussed.