Factors contributing to partner commitment among unmarried African Americans

The study of unmarried African Americans has received scant attention, although African American single people are proportionately the largest group of single individuals in America. The purpose of this study was to assess factors that affect relationship commitment among a group of single professional African American men and women. The study used as its conceptualization Rusbult's Investment Model of Romantic Commitment, which contends that satisfaction and investment are related positively to partner commitment, whereas available romantic alternatives are related negatively to partner commitment. Although gender differences were observed, considerable support for the investment model was obtained. Gender differences also were noted in perceptions of equity, power, and ideal partner. Implications for social work are discussed.