Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia

Maintaining good romantic relationships is a critical developmental challenge during emerging adulthood, yet many emerging adults find it difficult to establish long-lasting and happy relationships. This study aims to explore how trust, commitment, and constructive and destructive conflict resolutio...

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Main Authors: Wong, Cheng Xiang, Wong, Zi Zheng
Format: Final Year Project / Dissertation / Thesis
Published: 2025
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Online Access:http://eprints.utar.edu.my/7006/1/2206900_FYP.pdf
http://eprints.utar.edu.my/7006/
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author Wong, Cheng Xiang
Wong, Zi Zheng
author_facet Wong, Cheng Xiang
Wong, Zi Zheng
author_sort Wong, Cheng Xiang
building UTAR Library
collection Institutional Repository
content_provider Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
content_source UTAR Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
description Maintaining good romantic relationships is a critical developmental challenge during emerging adulthood, yet many emerging adults find it difficult to establish long-lasting and happy relationships. This study aims to explore how trust, commitment, and constructive and destructive conflict resolution styles influence relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed with 98 participants aged 18–25 years, recruited using purposive sampling. The sample comprised 56.1% females (n = 55) and 43.9% males (n = 43), encompassing Malay, Chinese, and Indian ethnicities. Standardized instruments, including the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), Dyadic Trust Scale (DTS), Dedication Subscale of Commitment Inventory (CI), and the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI), were administered. Data collection was conducted through online platforms using Qualtrics, and data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 24. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that trust (β = .452, p < .001) and commitment (β = .174, p = .049) significantly predicted higher relationship satisfaction, whereas destructive conflict resolution style (β = −.242, p = .004) significantly predicted lower relationship satisfaction. In contrast, constructive conflict resolution style was not a significant predictor (β = .064, p = .446). These findings align with Interdependence Theory, which emphasizes the importance of dependence and correspondence of outcomes in shaping relationship satisfaction. By highlighting the developmental and cultural factors influencing young adults’ relationships in Malaysia, the study contributes to the literature and provides practical implications for relationship education, counseling, and youth development initiatives.
format Final Year Project / Dissertation / Thesis
id my-utar-eprints.7006
institution Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
publishDate 2025
record_format eprints
spelling my-utar-eprints.70062025-12-24T18:54:26Z Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia Wong, Cheng Xiang Wong, Zi Zheng BF Psychology H Social Sciences (General) Maintaining good romantic relationships is a critical developmental challenge during emerging adulthood, yet many emerging adults find it difficult to establish long-lasting and happy relationships. This study aims to explore how trust, commitment, and constructive and destructive conflict resolution styles influence relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed with 98 participants aged 18–25 years, recruited using purposive sampling. The sample comprised 56.1% females (n = 55) and 43.9% males (n = 43), encompassing Malay, Chinese, and Indian ethnicities. Standardized instruments, including the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), Dyadic Trust Scale (DTS), Dedication Subscale of Commitment Inventory (CI), and the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI), were administered. Data collection was conducted through online platforms using Qualtrics, and data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 24. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that trust (β = .452, p < .001) and commitment (β = .174, p = .049) significantly predicted higher relationship satisfaction, whereas destructive conflict resolution style (β = −.242, p = .004) significantly predicted lower relationship satisfaction. In contrast, constructive conflict resolution style was not a significant predictor (β = .064, p = .446). These findings align with Interdependence Theory, which emphasizes the importance of dependence and correspondence of outcomes in shaping relationship satisfaction. By highlighting the developmental and cultural factors influencing young adults’ relationships in Malaysia, the study contributes to the literature and provides practical implications for relationship education, counseling, and youth development initiatives. 2025-05 Final Year Project / Dissertation / Thesis NonPeerReviewed application/pdf http://eprints.utar.edu.my/7006/1/2206900_FYP.pdf Wong, Cheng Xiang and Wong, Zi Zheng (2025) Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia. Final Year Project, UTAR. http://eprints.utar.edu.my/7006/
spellingShingle BF Psychology
H Social Sciences (General)
Wong, Cheng Xiang
Wong, Zi Zheng
Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia
title Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia
title_full Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia
title_fullStr Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia
title_short Trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in Malaysia
title_sort trust, commitment, and conflict resolution styles as predictors of romantic relationship satisfaction among emerging adults in malaysia
topic BF Psychology
H Social Sciences (General)
url http://eprints.utar.edu.my/7006/1/2206900_FYP.pdf
http://eprints.utar.edu.my/7006/
url_provider http://eprints.utar.edu.my