I. Introduction. 1. Interpersonal Commitment in Historical Perspective / Jeffrey M. Adams and Warren H. Jones -- II. Conceptualization and Measurement of Interpersonal Commitment. 2. Duty toward Whom? Reconsidering Attractions and Barriers as Determinants of Commitment in a Relationship / George Levinger. 3. Conceiving Couple Commitment: Choice, Promise, and Fulfillment / Pamela Kate Wyatt. 4. Personal, Moral, and Structural Commitment to Relationships: Experiences of Choice and Constraint / Michael P. Johnson -- III. The Development of Interpersonal Commitment. 5. Interpersonal Experience in Infancy as a Foundation for the Capacity in Adults for Stable Relationships / Mark G. Lundeen. 6. Attachment Processes and Commitment to Romantic Relationships / Hillary J. Morgan and Phillip R. Shaver. 7. The Development of Commitment to Marriage: A Phenomenological Approach / Catherine A. Surra, Debra K. Hughes and Susan E. Jacquet. 8. Commitment in the Early Years of Marriage / Joseph Veroff -- IV. Basic Commitment Processes in Relationships. 9. The Dynamics of Interpersonal Commitment and the Issue of Salience / Jeffrey M. Adams and Jana S. Spain. 10. Marital Commitment and Family Life Transitions: A Social Exchange Perspective on the Construction and Deconstruction of Intimate Relationships / Ronald M. Sabatelli. 11. Commitment and Adversity: A Reciprocal Relation / John Lydon. 12. The Relationship of Exchange and Commitment / Bernard I. Murstein. 13. What Attachment Styles and Love Styles Add to the Understanding of Commitment and Relationship Stability / Keith E. Davis. 14. Interpersonal Commitments: The Interplay of Social Networks and Individual Identities / Robert K. Leik, Timothy J. Owens and Irving Tallman -- V. Commitment within Diverse Populations. 15. Stability and Commitment in Friendships / Beverley Fehr. 16. The Bereavement Experience: Continuing Commitment after the Loss of a Loved One / Robert O. Hansson, Judy O. Berry and Melissa E. Berry. 17. Examples of Commitment in Postdivorce Relationships between Ex-Spouses / Carol Masheter. 18. Levels and Styles of Commitment in Marriage: The Case of Asian Indian Immigrants / Raghu N. Singh and Matthew Kanjirathinkal. 19. Commitment and Sexual Behaviors in Adolescent Dating Relationships / Sharon S. Rostosky, Deborah P. Welsh and Myra C. Kawaguchi / [et al.]. 20. The Constraints of Innovation: Commitment and Stability among Same-Sex Couples / Davis G. Patterson, Teresa Ciabattari and Pepper Schwartz -- VI. Clinical Issues and Applications. 21. Perceived Partner Commitment and Attachment Style: Clinical Implications of a Cognitive Perspective / Joseph L. Etherton and Steven R. H. Beach. 22. Using What We Know: Commitment and Cognitions in Marital Therapy / Scott M. Stanley, W. Charles Lobitz and Fran C. Dickson. 23. Dominant Discourse in Heterosexual Relationships: Inhibitors or Facilitators of Interpersonal Commitment and Relationship Stability? / Lucia A. Gilbert and Sarah J. Walker. 24. Communication Processes in Marital Commitment: An Integrative Approach / Deborah S. Ballard-Reisch and Daniel J. Weigel -- VII. Related Constructs. 25. Commitment and Trust in Close Relationships: An Interdependence Analysis / Caryl E. Rusbult, Jennifer Weiselquist and Craig A. Foster / [et al.]. 26. Buffering the Effects of Betrayal: The Role of Apology, Forgiveness, and Commitment / Laurie L. Couch, Warren H. Jones and Danny S. Moore. 27. Jealousy and Problems of Commitment / Gregory L. White. 28. Deconstructing Stability: The Distinction between the Course of a Close Relationship and Its Endpoint / Benjamin R. Karney, Thomas N. Bradbury and Michael J. Johnson -- VIII. Conclusion. 29. Future Directions for Commitment Research / Jeffrey M. Adams