Time perspective, perceived stress, self-control and relationship satisfaction in heterosexual dating relationships of emerging adults

Abstract

This study investigates possible protective and vulnerability factors in the link between perceived stress and relationship satisfaction in dating relationships of emerging adults. We investigate whether self-control, as a positive self-regulation resource, serves as a buffer mitigating the negative effect of stress on relationships. We posited a pathway model in which we examine whether maladaptive time-perspectives represent vulnerability factors leading to higher perceived stress which is in turn associated with impaired self-control and lower relationship satisfaction. In an on-line survey, we collected data on time perspectives, perceived stress, self-control and relationship satisfaction from 360 emerging adults in heterosexual dating relationships. Perceived stress was associated with impaired self-control and lower relationship satisfaction. Past-negative, but not present-fatalistic perspective, was associated with more perceived stress which mediated the relationship between past-negative perspective and relationship satisfaction. However, adding this vulnerability factor to the model lead to self-control no longer having a significant buffering effect.