Many of us struggle with having complete faith that the relationship we’re in will last. Whether it’s past romantic experiences gone awry that haunt us or a projection of our own fear of commitment and vulnerability onto a relationship, knowing that one’s partner is loyal, dependable and highly committed can quell these fears.
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that individuals who are highly committed to their relationships engage in two types of pro-relationship behaviors that strengthen relationships and represent their unwavering devotion to a future together.
Here are two signs that your partner is highly committed to you, according to the study.
1. They Openly Reassure You Of Their Intentions
Communication serves as the lifeline of any relationship. A partner who is highly committed to you will prioritize open, honest and consistent communication. Moreover, researchers found that highly committed partners will make their intention to build a future with you abundantly clear.
Such individuals are not content with merely acknowledging their commitment occasionally but prefer to regularly verbalize their excitement and dedication to a long-term relationship, reaffirming their bond with their partner daily.
Daily assurances of commitment can look like making future plans together, such as discussing going on a trip in a year’s time or using expressions and statements that reflect the desire to share a “forever” and grow old together.
Additionally, researchers found that partners of highly committed individuals tend to perceive these assurance behaviors more prominently, further reinforcing the idea that assurances are a tangible display of commitment in daily life that can nurture a relationship.
In fact, research shows that when a partner is highly invested in a relationship, it enhances the other partner’s sense of gratitude and their own commitment to the relationship, creating a positive feedback loop.
Highly committed partners place a clear emphasis on the future, discussing their long-term goals, dreams and aspirations. They prioritize the relationship in these long-term plans, demonstrating a willingness to adapt, compromise and grow together as a unit.
2. They Love Spending Time With You
Researchers found that the decision to regularly spend quality time with a partner is a powerful testament to one’s commitment in a relationship.
Highly committed individuals are more motivated to enhance interdependence with their partners and do so by devoting significant time to them. This behavioral persistence reflects a genuine investment into the relationship’s future, as partners actively prioritize each other’s presence and companionship, which is also inherently rewarding for them.
“We draw attention to the value of how much time out of their day individuals choose to spend co-present with their romantic partner as a behavioral outcome of commitment. A couple may have been together for many months (duration) but only choose to see one another for a few hours each week (time spent co-present,)” the researchers explain.
According to the researchers, time spent “co-present,” encompasses various activities, from working on a shared project, engaging in leisurely pursuits to mundane daily tasks such as running errands together or even sleeping in the same bed—and can all contribute to maintaining closeness between partners.
“Highly committed individuals express more commitment assurances in daily life and, on days in which they do so, they tend to spend more time in their partner’s presence. Each instance an individual chooses to spend time co-present with their partner, they are building a foundation for the future,” the researchers conclude.
Curious about commitment levels in your relationship? Take the evidence-based Relationship Satisfaction Scale to learn more.
