Satisfaction;what makes us stay in a close relationship?

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to study various factors which might influence the level of satisfaction in close relationships. The theories which have been covered are: The triangular theory of love, The Investment model, Bowlby´s and Ainsworth attachment theories, The Equity theory, and the reward theory of attraction. The variables which were studied were: intimacy, rewards, commitment and equity. The level of perceived superiority was also studied, as well as satisfaction level in comparison to duration in the current relationship. A multiple regression was employed to find out which one of the variables above would associate strongest with satisfaction. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and a reliability test was therefore carried out. 72 participants took part in the study, 44 females and 28 males. The result showed that commitment had the strongest association with satisfaction, followed by intimacy. The result also showed that there was a negative significant correlation between superiority and level of satisfaction. More over the result did not show any correlation between duration in the current relationship and satisfaction. Two regressions were also performed to see which one of the variables (intimacy, reward, commitment and equity) would associate strongest with satisfaction in two conditions. The results showed that commitment had the strongest association for the condition with the participants who had been in their relationship 1-6 years. Commitment also had the strongest association in the other condition followed by intimacy. In this condition the participants had been in their relationship for seven years or more. The main discussion points have been the current results in comparison to other’s research in the area as well as suggestions for future research.