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7 - The Longitudinal Course of Couple Relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2026

By
Terri Orbuch ,
Jeremy B. Kanter  and
Amy Rauer
Edited by
Anita L. Vangelisti ,
Daniel Perlman  and
Susan Sprecher
Anita L. Vangelisti
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
Daniel Perlman
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Susan Sprecher
Affiliation:
Illinois State University
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Summary

There has been a growing body of research examining the longitudinal course of couple relationships. In this chapter, our goal is to synthesize and critically evaluate the research on long-term couple relationships, highlighting what we have learned and the advances that have been made to earlier work, while being inclusive of a variety of methodological and analytical approaches. We discuss early studies on long-term relationships; research assessing the different pathways of development as well as the antecedents, correlates and outcomes of various patterns of change; and the crucial role of self-help advice and intervention/prevention programs for fostering long-term couple relationships. We argue that although there has been progress in this area, the research still lacks much-needed diversity, and we consider broader limitations and directions for future research.

Keywords

couple relationshipspathways of change and stabilitydevelopmentlong-term relationships

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The Cambridge Handbook of Personal Relationships , pp. 134 - 155
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2026

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