Should I Stay or Should I Go? Relationship Satisfaction, Love, Love Styles and Religion Compatibility Predicting the Fate of Relationships

Abstract

This study aimed to verify variables that affect relationship stability. More specifically, this study examined whether relationship satisfaction, intimacy, passion, decision/commitment, love styles and sharing a religion are related to continuation of dating. The sample was composed of 129 participants involved in a dating relationship, from 13 Brazilian states. The participants individually completed the Relationship Assessment Scale, the Sternberg’s Triangular Love Scale, and the Love Attitudes Scale. After 6 months, participants reported whether they stayed in the same relationship throughout the study. This study verified an influence of love and compatibility of religion on the relationship’s destiny. Participants who continued dating had higher relationship satisfaction, intimacy, and decision/commitment than participants who ended the relationship. Participants who had the same religion as their partners were also more likely to continue dating. These data reinforce the importance of the role of religion, love and relationship satisfaction on the relationship’s success.