Alternative monitoring predictors: When the grass looks greener on the other side

This study examined the predictors of alternative monitoring - of potential romantic partners - using a sample of 76 people in committed dating relationships. Results showed that love, trust, satisfaction, dedication commitment, and social-network influences correlated with alternative monitoring, but participants' personality characteristics did not. A hierarchical regression analysis showed that ambivalence about the partner and the relationship, the ease of finding another partner if the current relationship ended, and reported levels of commitment predicted alternative monitoring in the context of relationship satisfaction, social network influence, perceptions of partner's conscientiousness, and gender.