When "I Do" Becomes "I Don't": Exploring Communication Behaviors and Dialectical Tensions in Broken Engagements

<p>Communication behaviors and precipitating events were studied in accounts provided by 109 heterosexual individuals living in the United States who had experienced at least one broken premarital engagement. Participants' responses to an exploratory survey designed by the researcher were thematically analyzed in order to determine the causes of broken engagements, communication strategies used in sharing the disengagement narrative, advice given and received, and the presence of relational dialectics (both tensions and coping strategies). Data revealed that broken engagements more closely mirror divorce than dating breakups, engagements are more likely to be broken by women than men, and disengagement more often occurs prior to 30 years of age. Additionally, three new dialectical tension pairs were discovered: Hope/Resignation, Familiarity/Instability, and Love/Loyalty. Implications for future research are also discussed.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Stow, Chelsea Annette Hand

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mary Claire Morr Serewicz, Ph.D.
• Frederique Chevillot, Ph.D.
• Elizabeth Suter
• Erin Willer

• Broken engagement
• Dialectics
• Dissolution
• Premarital divorce
• Communication

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1233

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-2233