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Love, Sex, and Satisfaction in On-Again/Off-Again Relationships: Exploring What Might Make These Relationships Alluring

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2017

René M. Dailey  and
Alexander Powell
René M. Dailey*
Affiliation:
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
Alexander Powell
Affiliation:
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: René M. Dailey, Department of Communication Studies, University of Texas at Austin, 2504A Whitis Ave. A1105, Austin, TX 78712-0115, USA. Email: rdailey@austin.utexas.edu
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Abstract

The current study explored positive relational qualities — love, need satisfaction, sexual satisfaction— to better understand what might be alluring to on-again/off-again (cyclical) partners given that they typically report lower relational quality and functioning than non-cyclical partners (i.e., those who have not broken up and renewed). A sample of 558 young adults in current romantic relationships (27.6% in cyclical relationships) reported on Sternberg's (1997) three love components (intimacy, passion, and commitment), relationship need satisfaction (e.g., companionship, emotional involvement), and their sexual satisfaction. Results supported the bulk of research showing cyclical partners report lower relational quality — cyclical partners reported less love, need satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. A pattern of findings regarding passion and need satisfaction regarding sexual and physical intimacy, however, suggests that cyclical partners might value the physical component of relationships more, and further, that passion might be more strongly related to global satisfaction as compared to non-cyclical partners. Overall, the value of this study is not in what differences were found but in ruling out certain explanations of what perpetuates cycling in young adult relationships. The current findings suggest the reasons individuals return to less satisfying relationships is complex and might require novel theoretical models.

Keywords

on-again/off-again relationshipscyclical relationshipssexual satisfactionrelationship needspassion
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 8 , 2017 , e11
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2017 

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