Which description fits an Unhappy Unstable Relationship?

• A. Low Satisfaction and Independent
• B. High Satisfaction and Independent
• C. Low Satisfaction and Dependent
• D. High Satisfaction and Dependent

Answer: (A)

Unhappy unstable relationships are best described by low satisfaction combined with independence. When someone isn’t happy with the relationship, motivation to invest in closeness or cooperate with a partner decreases. If the relationship is also unstable, there’s a nagging sense of unreliability about staying together, which often leads people to protect themselves by staying more autonomous and self-reliant rather than relying on or merging with their partner. This pattern—discontent paired with pullback from closeness—captures the way instability and dissatisfaction manifest as a tendency to keep distance rather than seek interdependence. In contrast, high satisfaction tends to foster more closeness, and dependence implies leaning on the partner, which wouldn’t align with both unhappiness and instability.