Personality correlates of romantic relationship satisfaction

Research has shown that the quality and quantity of one's relationships are often related to personality processes (Jones, 1991). Indeed there is a long tradition in psychology of studying the interplay between relationships and personality. Most research in the area of personality and romantic relationship satisfaction has tested the effects of complementarity and/or similarity on relationship development, adjustment, and satisfaction. As a result, the empirical examinations of the associations between personality and romantic relationship satisfaction have primarily focused on how the personalities of the two participants combine or mix. The present research sought to explore the connection between personality and romantic relationship satisfaction by examining the direct statistical correlations between the personality traits of one spouse and the marital satisfaction of his or her partner. Ninety-one married couples completed the revised NEO Personality Inventory and a selection of questionnaires designed to measure variables that are related to relationship satisfaction and success. Data analyses revealed associations between one's personality and one's relationship satisfaction. Connections between the personality of one's spouse and his or her relationship satisfaction were also found. In addition, differences were found between men and women on the personality traits that influence their relationship satisfaction and the degree to which personality traits affect their marital happiness.