Expanding me, loving us: self-expansion preferences, experiences, and romantic relationship commitment. Issue 2 (17th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hughes, Erin K; Slotter, Erica B.; Emery, Lydia F.
• Is Part Of: Self and identity. Volume 22:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2023-02-17
• Subjects: Self-expansion -- relationship quality -- motivation -- self-concept -- romantic relationships; Self -- Periodicals; Identity (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Cognition -- Periodicals; Motivation (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2022.2074092
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-8868

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Self-expansion is a process through which people increase the size of their self-concept by incorporating novel content into their sense of identity. Greater self-expansion predicts positive outcomes for individuals and romantic relationships. However, there are individual differences in the motivation to self-expand. In the present research, we predicted that the experience of relational self-expansion would be associated with relationship commitment most strongly for people who were more motivated to self-expand. We found support for this hypothesis across three studies (total N = 686), with an online sample of individuals in relationships and two dyadic samples, using both cross-sectional and longitudinal methods. This research suggests that those who are motivated by personal self-expansion and experience self-expansion in their relationships are especially romantically committed.