Presentation

Predictors of Relationship Status and Dating Satisfaction Among First Year College Men

Research has demonstrated that romantic relationships are an important life domain: individuals who are satisfied with their love lives report greater overall happiness (Kamp Dush & Amato, 2005) and life satisfaction (Luo, 2009). A great deal of the literature on dating problems to-date has focused on social anxiety (Thompson & Rapee, 2002), as well as shyness and introversion (Cherulnik, Neely, Flanagan, & Zachau, 1978; Himadi, Arkowitz, Hinton, & Perl, 1980). However, more recent research has found no link between shyness and dating frequency/satisfaction among men (Leck, 2006), and some researchers have suggested that additional factors must underlie dating problems (Haemmerlie & Montgomery, 1982; Hope & Himadi, 1990). Ickes and Barnes (1978) proposed that warmth (a tendency for friendliness and kindness) and agency (a willingness to take action in the service of a want or need) are two factors that may impact an individual’s interpersonal effectiveness. Past research has suggested that men high in both warmth and agency have more successful initial interactions with prospective romantic partners (Kelly, O’Brien, Hosford, & Kinsinger, 1976; Lamke & Bell, 1982) and date more frequently (Delucia, 1987; Helmreich, Wilhelm, & Stapp, 1975). In the present study, a sample of male students from five colleges were surveyed about their current relationship status and dating satisfaction, along with warmth and agency. The results indicated that men with higher warmth and agency were more likely to be in romantic relationships. However, satisfaction with their love lives (after relationships status was controlled for) was related to warmth, but not agency. This finding lends support to the idea that warmth and agency are important variables to consider when investigating dating status and satisfaction among college men, and the predictors thereof.