Storied romance : a qualitative investigation of expectations through romantic life stories
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[EMBARGOED UNTIL 05/01/2026] Interdependence theory (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959) describes reference points through which individuals assess rewards and costs of their current relationship (comparison level; CL) to evaluate satisfaction and assess alternatives to current relationships (comparison level of alternatives; CLalt). Despite extensive theoretical utility, relatively little information is available regarding CL development and adaptation over time. Additionally, the relationship science literature has typically focused on the functioning of a single, current relationship, missing key changes to the way individuals conceptualize and evaluate their relational standards across their lifelong relationship history. I used a grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2014) to answer the question: How do past relationship experiences shape current standards for romantic relationships? Analysis covered lifetime romantic histories of 35 participants aged 24-40. Participants engaged in a process of developing standards including (a) evaluating relationship-oriented events (b) comparing characteristics across relationships, and (c) reflecting upon unique needs within relationships. These results expand upon the theoretical understanding of interdependence theory and the formation and revision of comparison levels, and thus informs our understanding of expectations within relationships. Furthermore, this process of developing standards encompassed multiple relationships, highlighting the need for future work to include various relationship types (e.g., family of origin, friends, past and current romantic partners) for a holistic view of the role these relationships play across the lifespan.
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M.S.