Staying Five-feet Apart from Commitment

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory research was to understand the fear associated with long-term commitments, aka Commitment Phobia, in the Indian context. The present study also highlights the possible antecedents, consequences, and maintaining factors associated with it. In-depth and open-ended online interviews of 10 respondents in the age group of 18-25, comprising 7 females and 3 males, were conducted, and the transcripts were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s model of thematic analysis. Parental relations, Family structure, and Past relationships emerged as prime factors in the formation of a skewed notion of commitment, while hearing about other people’s negative experiences in relationships maintained the negative thought pattern. Effects of Commitment Phobia were physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral in nature. Overall, it can be really distressing for some people, and a proper understanding of the condition is vital.