Date of Award

5-10-2026

Date Published

June 2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Advisor(s)

Leonard Newman

Keywords

casual dating;dating advice;fledgling relationships;multilevel modeling;romantic relationships

Subject Categories

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Psychology

Abstract

For years, relationship scientists have advocated for more research on casual dating, which can refer to the period of time between a first date and coupling among a romantic dyad, as well as the general period of time an individual is on the dating market evaluating potential partners. Though much is known about established romantic relationships, casual dating and early relationship development remain understudied. To that end, there are many ongoing debates among laypeople about casual dating advice that should be followed (or abandoned) in order to make the best partner choice and experience the best relationship outcomes, yet empirical investigations of such advice or whether pre- and early-relationship variables can actually influence relationship trajectories are scarce. Thus, to contribute to this underdeveloped literature, I employed a preregistered 6-month longitudinal study to investigate the predictive validity of four widely-debated pre- and early-relationship variables (multi-dating, sexual tempo, length of casual dating stage, and pre-existing friendship) for relationship quality and stability among 80 adults in fledgling relationships. Using primarily multilevel modeling, I found several significant mean differences and different rates of change over time in relationship outcomes as a function of each predictor. Collectively, these findings enhance our understanding of early-stage relationship experiences, provide evidence-based insights about best practices in casual dating, reveal new avenues for theory-building in the field of relationship science, and underscore the necessity of continued research aimed at helping people increase their chances of experiencing more satisfying and stable relationships from the start.

Access

Open Access

Download

Share

COinS