Relationship satisfaction as a function of mate value.

Abstract

It has been proposed that mate value influences both the mate selection process and the quality of a romantic relationship once it has been formed. The aim of this study was to test the relations among perceived own and partner's mate value and relationship satisfaction. As a relationship is a dynamic process, in which assessments made by 1 member of the pair are not independent of the assessments made by the other member, we used an actorpartner interdependence model to test how one's assessments of own and partner's mate value (actor effects), along with his or her partner's assessments of own and partner's mate value (partner effects), combine to predict relationship satisfaction. To explore the possible effect of cultural context on the structure of relations among those variables, we conducted the study in 2 rather different cultures: Iran and Croatia. Not surprisingly, there were culture-and gender-related differences in mate value assessments. However, the structure of the relations among these assessments and relationship satisfaction was similar in 2 cultures, confirming the evolutionary hypothesis about the universal relevance of mate value in pair bonding. Specifically, the models showed that in both cultures the actor's own effects are stronger than the partner's ones, and that one's estimate of partner's quality as a mate is generally the strongest predictor of relationship satisfaction. The results are discussed in terms of both culturally contingent perceptions of own and partner's mate value and a more universal underlying mechanism (feeling of satisfaction as a function of partner's mate value).

The distribution of Chapman’s love languages in couples: An exploratory cluster analysis.

“…Thus, this research introduces the possibility that LLs may be a predictor of relational satisfaction, adding it to an emerging list that includes (a) appreciation of one’s partner’s strengths (Kashdan et al, 2018), (b) attachment security (Diamond, Brimhall, & Elliott, 2018; Eğeci & Gençöz, 2006), (c) communication (Eğeci & Gençöz, 2006; Gordon & Chen, 2016; Mark & Jozkowski, 2013; Yoo et al, 2014), (d) social support (Elegbede & Ogunleye, 2018), (e) emotional intelligence (Sened et al, 2017; Smith et al, 2008), (f) Adlerian birth order (Crain, 2017), (g) Bowenian differentiation of self (Norona & Welsh, 2016), (h) Big Five personality traits (Furler et al, 2014; Hudson & Fraley, 2014; Weidmann, Ledermann, & Grob, 2017), (i) political attitudes and personal values (Leikas et al, 2018), (j) work–life balance (Yucel, 2018), (k) sexual satisfaction (Fallis, Rehman, Woody, & Purdon, 2016; Mark & Jozkowski, 2013; Yoo et al, 2014), (l) perception of mate value (Hromatko, Bajoghli, Rebernjak, Joshaghani, & Tadinac, 2015), and (m) consistency between ideal standards and perceived attributes in one’s partner (Buyukcan-Tetik, Campbell, Finkenauer, Karremans, & Kappen, 2017). Conversely, detractors to relationship satisfaction include (a) viewing one’s partner’s personality strengths as having significant costs (Kashdan et al, 2018), (b) incongruence of motives for being involved in the relationship (Hagemeyer et al, 2013), (c) hypermasculinity (Karakis & Levant, 2012; Lentz, 2017), and (d) inconsistent interpersonal behavior (Sadikaj et al, 2015), dominant behavior (Sadikaj, Moskowitz, & Zuroff, 2017), shyness (Luster et al, 2013), and depression (Li & Johnson, 2018) in one’s partner.…”

The devil wears stata: Thin-ideal media’s minimal contribution to our understanding of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.

“…3. Body dissatisfaction typically arises through a combination of genetic risk with stress created through perceived mate value or the self-perception that one is able to attract desirable mates (Hromatko, Bajoghli, Rebernjak, Joshaghani, & Tadinac, 2015).…”

Mate-value and relationship satisfaction: The moderating roles of mate retention behaviors

“…This finding is somewhat consistent with the findings of Nowak and Danel [ 61 ] who reported that relationship satisfaction is positively associated with women’s perception of their partners’ mate value. Research results show that mate value discrepancy affects relationship satisfaction, communication commitment, and mate retention behaviors [ 26 , 62 ]. For example, research by Nowak and Danel [ 61 ] has shown that women’s evaluations of their partners’ mate value play a more important role in relationship satisfaction than their own mate value.…”

“…One’s partner’s mate value is the strongest predictor of relationship satisfaction in general [ 26 ]. Both men and women who perceived their partners to have a higher mate value reported a higher level of satisfaction with their relationship [ 27 ].…”

“…The evolutionary recurrent problems associated with partner infidelity should transcend cultural differences. In recent years, researchers’ interest in studying in non-WEIRD communities has increased [ 26 , 30 , 31 ]. Cross-cultural research from different societies has shown that human social behavior is different in many ways, and these cultural differences are essentially psychological [ 32 ].…”