Abstract
This study aimed at adapting and validating the Measurement of Components of Commitment scale (MCC; Johnson et al. in J Marriage Fam 61:160–177, 1999) in a sample of 335 Portuguese individuals, varying in sexual orientation and type of romantic relationship (single, civil union, married). Results suggest adequate construct validity and reliability. Principal axis factoring and confirmatory factorial analysis supported Johnson et al. (1999) proposed tripartite structure: personal commitment referring to positive feelings towards the partner (three factors); moral commitment referring to a sense of moral obligation to maintain the relationship (three factors); structural commitment referring to the perception of external barriers preventing relationship termination (four factors). Convergent validity results further suggest the MCC’s distinctiveness regarding other measures of commitment, by showing personal, but not moral or structural, commitment, to correlate with the Investment Model Scale (Rusbult et al. in Personal Relationships 5:357–387, 1998), defining commitment as a unitary construct pertaining a general long-term orientation and intent to persist in the relationship, and psychological attachment towards the partner. Finally, the MCC proved sensible across different types of romantic relationship, cohabitation status and relationship duration, further extending the scale’s original results and evidences on construct validity. We discuss MCC’s relevance to academics and professionals studying romantic relationships.
Highlights
Adjusted and stable romantic relationships allow individuals to experience positive affect, sexual desire and social support (e.g., Dwyer 2000; Moser 1994), and promote health benefits (Wilson and Oswald 2005) and life satisfaction (Be et al 2013)
Convergent validity results further suggest the Measurement of Components of Commitment (MCC)’s distinctiveness regarding other measures of commitment, by showing personal, but not moral or structural, commitment, to correlate with the Investment Model Scale (Rusbult et al 1998), defining commitment as a unitary construct pertaining a general long-term orientation and intent to persist in the relationship, and psychological attachment towards the partner
Being commitment a crucial element for the positive functioning of individuals and their romantic relationships, this article aims at presenting the adaptation and validation process of the Measurement of Components of Commitment (MCC; Johnson et al 1999) in a sample of Portuguese individuals
Summary
Adjusted and stable romantic relationships allow individuals to experience positive affect, sexual desire and social support (e.g., Dwyer 2000; Moser 1994), and promote health benefits (Wilson and Oswald 2005) and life satisfaction (Be et al 2013). Commitment has personal, and relational benefits, and is associated with important quality of life indicators such as couple happiness and relationship quality (e.g., Drigotas et al 1999; Hassebrauck and Fehr 2002), and subjective well-being (e.g., Drigotas 2002). Greater commitment is associated with greater couple adjustment levels, such as greater couple consensus, successful affective expression, greater satisfaction and cohesion (Rusbult et al 1998). Greater commitment is associated with greater subjective well-being in terms of expression of positive affect, happiness and life satisfaction
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