The effects of intimacy, passion, and commitment on satisfaction in romantic relationships among Hong Kong Chinese people

Ting Kin NG, Christopher H. K. CHENG*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

Abstract

Previous Western studies have documented the effects of the three components of love in the triangular theory of love on satisfaction in romantic relationships. In light of the literature on cultural differences in love, the present study hypothesized that in romantic relationships among Chinese people, the effects of intimacy and passion on relationship satisfaction would be mediated by commitment. A sample of 263 Chinese people from Hong Kong who were involved in heterosexual romantic relationships rated their experienced levels of intimacy, passion, and commitment as well as their degree of relationship satisfaction. A multiple regression analysis found that relationship satisfaction was significantly affected by intimacy and commitment, but not by passion. A mediation analysis showed that commitment partially mediated the effect of intimacy and fully mediated the effect of passion. These findings are discussed in terms of the characteristics of Chinese culture.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)123-146
JournalJournal of Psychology in Chinese Societies
Volume11
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

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