The overall goal of the proposed research is to examine the association between sacrifice in romantic relationships, defined as foregoing one's immediate self-interest in order to promote the partner's interest or maintain a healthy relationship, and positive relationship factors (e.g., commitment and satisfaction). Specifically, this study will empirically test theoretical speculations that this association exists, at least in part, because individuals with greater commitment to their relationship perceive the performance of sacrifice behaviors (i.e., behaviors that most people define as sacrifice) as less detrimental to overall self-interest. To accomplish this goal, a new measure of sacrificial behavior within relationships and a new measure of perceptions surrounding behavioral sacrifices will be developed and validated. 130 participants who are currently cohabiting with their romantic partner will then complete these measure of sacrifice behaviors and perceptions, as well as several measures of commitment factors and relationship quality. Scores on these measures will be examined to test the relevant hypotheses. In addition, feminist theory suggesting that female sacrifice in relationships is harmful to women's mental health will be explored. Development of the self-report measures of sacrifice behaviors and perceptions regarding acts of sacrifice would represent a significant methodological gain for the field of intimate relationship research, as very few measures exist with which to explore the concept of sacrifice in relationships.
