title: It's a matter of time: The effect of depletion on communal action in romantic relationships is moderated by relationship length.
abstract: Researchers have only begun to turn their attention to the role of self-control in communal action (rather than communal restraint) in relationships. Conflicting results from early studies indicate that the association between self-control and communal action may be quite complex, and potentially moderated by many variables. Here we investigate how relationship length may moderate the extent to which communal actions require self-control resources. In 5 studies, we investigated the role of self-control resources in implementing (Studies 1 and 2) and in choosing (Studies 3-5) communal actions for a romantic partner, as a function of the length of time partners had been together. The data supported the hypothesis that as relationships mature over time, communal actions may require less self-control to implement and may become a decisional default. These findings suggest that communal actions may be a more deliberative response in newer romantic relationships but a more reflexive response in more established relationships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wake Forest University.
authors.forename: Lara K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Kammrath
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Carleton University.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peetz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, York University.
authors.forename: Kimberley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University.
authors.forename: Arden
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demarco
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University.
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirkconnell
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University.
authors.forename: Harley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meirovich
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D000068356:Self-Control; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult