Premarital Relationship Stability: A Review of Recent Research

Abstract

This article is a review of the theory and recent literature on premarital relationship stability. First, current theories and models that have been used to explain the development of premarital relationships are discussed. Second, research since 1990 that focuses on the individual, dyadic, and social network factors that predict premarital relationship stability is presented. Third, we integrate the findings of the review into a commitment model and make some brief observations about theoretical, conceptual, and methodological issues that must be addressed to further understand the development of premarital relationships.