Self–other agreement in personality development in romantic couples

Abstract

A large body of evidence indicates that personality traits show high rank-order stability and substantial mean-level changes across the lifespan. However, the majority of longitudinal research on personality development has relied on repeated assessments of self-reports, providing a narrow empirical base from which to draw conclusions and develop theory. Here, we (1) tested whether self- and informant-reports provided by couples show similar patterns of rank-order stability and mean-level change and (2) assessed self–other agreement in personality development. We charted the Big Five personality trajectories of 255 couples ( N = 510; M age = 27.01 years) who provided both self- and partner-reports at four assessments across 1.5 years. Results indicated similar rank-order stabilities in self- and partner-report data. Latent growth curve models indicated no significant differences between self- and partner-reported personality trajectories, with exceptions to extraversion and agreeableness. We further found strong cross-sectional agreement across all Big Five traits and assessment waves as well as moderate self–other agreement in personality change in emotional stability and agreeableness. These findings highlight the relevance of multi-method assessments in personality development, while providing information about personality stability and change. Discussion focuses on the theoretical implications and future directions for multi-method assessments in longitudinal personality research.

Revisiting Adult Playfulness and Relationship Satisfaction: APIM Analyses of Middle-Aged and Older Couples

“…Finally, the cross-sectional nature of our data does not allow conclusions regarding the causal associations between playfulness and RS. Moreover, the comparison between ours and PBWC's (2019a) findings of younger and older couples does not account for potential within-person and within-dyad changes over time (see Latagne & Furman, 2017;Lenhausen et al, 2020;van Scheppingen et al, 2018). Therefore, longitudinal research would further expand the knowledge on the effects of life events and living conditions in the trajectories of both playfulness and RS.…”

“…In conclusion, our findings lend support to Rammstedt and Schupp's (2008) notion of congruent couples being more likely to stay together. However, this speculation should be verified in a longitudinal study examining the within-person/couple changes (e.g., Lenhausen et al, 2020;Rammstedt & Schupp, 2008). However, as in PBWC's findings partner similarity in playfulness did not relate to RS beyond actor and partner effects.…”

Refining the maturity principle of personality development by examining facets, close others, and comaturation.

“…Few researchers to date have compared adult personality development in self- and informant-report data (Oltmanns et al, 2020; Lenhausen et al, 2020; Watson & Humrichouse, 2006). In one sample of U.S. newlyweds, self-reported increases in Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Emotional Stability were countered by other-reported decreases in these domains across 2 years (Watson & Humrichouse, 2006).…”

“…In a sample of Midwestern U.S. older adults, close others (half of whom were spouses) also perceived decreases in Agreeableness and Conscientiousness over 6 years, contrasting with self-reports (Oltmanns et al, 2020). Finally, in a sample of cohabiting Dutch couples, about half of whom became parents, partners perceived steeper decreases in Agreeableness and Extraversion than the self over 2 years (Lenhausen et al, 2020).…”

Stability and change in major life goals during the transition to parenthood

“…Here, we used data only data from the first (6 weeks before the expected birth date; later referred to as T1) and the third occasion (12 months after child birth; later referred to as T2), where the importance of life goals was assessed. The dataset has been used in past research (Lenhausen et al, 2021;Lenhausen et al, 2020;van Scheppingen et al, 2018). However, none of the studies focused on life goals and the first author of the present article had no access to the data prior to preregistering this study.…”