"This study examines the effect of obligation on middle-aged adults' relationships and well-being over time. Previous research has offered mixed evidence on whether a sense of obligation benefits or harms individuals and their relationships. Given that few studies are prospective and look at diverse close relationships, I used longitudinal data spanning 18 years (Brim, Ryff, & Kessler, 2004) to model whether two types of obligation predict intra- and interindividual changes in relational and individual well-being. Latent growth curve analyses indicated that intra- and interpersonal well-being increased over time for middle-aged adults. Lighter day-to-day obligation predicted higher levels of intra and interpersonal well-being at the first time point, while substantive obligation generally predicted lower levels of well-being at the first time point. Mostly, both types of obligation did not predict change in intra- and interpersonal well-being over time, except light obligation was associated with slower increases in life satisfaction and substantive obligation predicted slower increases in friend support. These findings together suggest that understanding people's obligations toward close others is important not only for their own well-being but also their relationships in adulthood."--Page ii.
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