The purpose of the study was to assess which of a group of relationship characteristics discriminate among the following relationship states in heterosexual dating couples: (a) expected commitment state (ECS), (b) expected maintenance state (EMS) and (c) expected termination state (ETS). Data were collected by mailed questionnaires from 37 male and 78 female students randomly selected from a western Canadian university. Results indicate that the expected termination state is the most predictable of the three states on relationship characteristics. Male/female differences on relationship characteristics were discussed.
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