Work and Courtship: How College Workload and Perceptions of Work Environment Relate to Romantic Relationships among Men and Women

Abstract

This longitudinal study of 96 students in exclusive dating relationships focused on how workload relates to romantic relationships. Respondents completed questionnaires at three points in time during an academic term. Workload, perceptions of the college environment and relationship dimensions of love, conflict, maintenance and ambivalence were measured at each wave. Workload and the subjective perception of the college environment of respondents were correlated with the relationship dimensions, in different ways for men and women. Correlations between college environment and relationship dimensions varied according to the time of the term and hence the intensity of the workload. A subsample of respondents ended their dating relationships during the term. These respondents differed in their attitudes about their schoolwork from respondents who maintained their relationships. This study demonstrated the interdependence of workload, students' orientation to their college environment and their dating relationships.