Relacionamentos românticos

: as componentes do amor e a qualidade das alternativas

Abstract

This dissertation explores the relationship between the type of love experienced in a relationship and the quality of alternatives in romantic relationships. Love is understood as a complex of feelings, attitudes and states directed towards a partner, where attractive alternatives may emerge that threaten the primary relationship. The study included 427 participants, predominantly women of Portuguese nationality, with an average age of 28 years, with the majority of participants in a romantic relationship. For the investigation, the Triangular Love Scale (TLS-15) was utilized to assess levels of romantic love among individuals in relationships, along with the Quality of Alternatives subscale from the Investment Model Scale, which measures the extent to which an individual´s fundamental needs could be satisfied outside their current relationship. The results confirmed the validity of the instruments employed and revealed a significant negative correlation between Triangular Love Scale (TLS-15) scores and the perception of alternative relationship options. Gender differences were statistically significant, with women scoring higher in intimacy and commitment, while men and younger individuals tended to place greater value on external alternatives, exhibiting higher levels of passion. Additionally, individuals who reported a higher number of non-significant partners obtained higher scores on the Quality of Alternatives subscale, indicating that engaging in multiple relationships increases the perception of external alternatives. These findings reinforce the notion that love and commitment play a crucial protective role against external relational alternatives.

Date of Award	20 Oct 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ângela Leite (Supervisor)