Couple Similarity on Personality, Moral Identity and Spirituality Predict Life Satisfaction of Spouses and Their Offspring

Wu, Rui; Liu, Zhen; Guo, Qingke; Cai, Minghang; Zhou, Jing

doi:10.1007/s10902-019-00108-8

Research Paper
Published: 22 April 2019

Couple Similarity on Personality, Moral Identity and Spirituality Predict Life Satisfaction of Spouses and Their Offspring

Journal of Happiness Studies volume 21, pages 1037–1058 (2020)Cite this article

1184 Accesses
6 Citations
2 Altmetric
Metrics details

Abstract

This study examined the effects of couple similarity on spouses’ and children’s life satisfaction using a large representative sample of 1761 participants (587 married couples and their children). Drawing on the stimulus–value–role theory demonstrating couple similarities in different domains, similarities on personality and value (moral identity and spirituality) was investigated. Based on evolutionary perspectives and the vulnerability–stress–adaptation model of marriage, we hypothesized that couple similarities in these domains are associated with spouses’ life satisfaction. We further proposed that couple similarities may be beneficial for offspring’s well-being. The Actor–Partner Interdependence Model was used to test the independent contribution of couple similarity. The PROCESS macro Model 4 was used to test the direct and indirect effects of similarity on children’s life satisfaction. The results showed (1) Similarity on agreeableness, openness, moral identity, and spirituality contributed to spouses’ life satisfaction after controlling for actor effects, partner effects, and Normative-Desirability Confound; (2) Similarity on moral identity had indirect effect on children’s life satisfaction through fathers’ life satisfaction, and similarity on spirituality had not only a direct effect on children’s life satisfaction but also an indirect effect through fathers’ life satisfaction. These findings are consistent with evolutionary perspectives that positive assortment can enhance reproductive fitness through improved marital functioning. This study also provides support for the vulnerability–stress–adaptation model of marriage, suggesting that couple similarity may serve as enduring strengths that promote adaptive processes in marital relationships.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

Alvarez, L., & Jaffe, K. (2004). Narcissism guides mate selection: Humans mate assortatively, as revealed by facial resemblance, following an algorithm of “self seeking like”. Evolutionary Psychology,2(1), 177–194. https://doi.org/10.1177/147470490400200123.
Article Google Scholar
Amato, P. R., & Booth, A. (1997). A generation at risk: Growing up in an era of family upheaval. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Google Scholar
Aquino, K. F., & Reed, A. (2002). The self-importance of moral identity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,83(6), 1423–1440. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.83.6.1423.
Article Google Scholar
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,31, 1173–1182.
Article Google Scholar
Becker, O. A. (2013). Effects of similarity of life goals, values, and personality on relationship satisfaction and stability: Findings from a two-wave panel study. Personal Relationships,20(3), 443–461. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2012.01417.x.
Article Google Scholar
Botwin, M. D., Buss, D. M., & Shackelford, T. K. (1997). Personality and mate preferences: Five factors in mate selection and marital satisfaction. Journal of Personality,65(1), 107–136. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.ep9709060970.
Article Google Scholar
Bredle, J. M., Salsman, J. M., Debb, S. M., Arnold, B. J., & Cella, D. (2011). Spiritual well-being as a component of health-related quality of life: The functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-spiritual well-being scale (FACIT-Sp). Religions,2(1), 77–94. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel2010077.
Article Google Scholar
Brown, S. L. (2004). Family structure and child well-being: The significance of parental cohabitation. Journal of Marriage and Family,66(2), 351–367. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2004.00025.x.
Article Google Scholar
Buss, D. M. (1984). Marital assortment for personality dispositions: Assessment with three different data sources. Behavior Genetics,14, 111–123. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01076408.
Article Google Scholar
Buss, D. M. (1989a). A strategic theory of trait usage: Personality and the adaptive landscape. Paper presented at the workshop on personality language, University of Groningen, Department of Psychology, The Netherlands.
Buss, D. M. (1989b). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behavioral and Brain Sciences,12(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X00023992.
Article Google Scholar
Buss, D. M. (1991). Conflict in married couples: Personality predictors of anger and upset. Journal of Personality,59, 663–688. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1991.tb00926.x.
Article Google Scholar
Buss, D. M. (2003). The evolution of desire: Strategies of human mating (rev ed.). New York: Basic.
Google Scholar
Canada, A. L., Murphy, P. E., Fitchett, G., Peterman, A. H., & Schover, L. R. (2008). A 3-factor model for the FACIT-Sp. Psycho-Oncology,17(9), 908–916. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1307.
Article Google Scholar
Carciofo, R., Yang, J., Song, N., Du, F., & Zhang, K. (2016). Psychometric evaluation of chinese-language 44-item and 10-item big five personality inventories, including correlations with chronotype, mindfulness and mind wandering. PLoS ONE,11(2), e0149963. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0149963.
Article Google Scholar
Carlson, M. J., & Corcoran, M. E. (2001). Family structure and children’s behavioral and cognitive outcomes. Journal of Marriage and Family,63, 779–792. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2001.00779.x.
Article Google Scholar
Caspi, A., & Herbener, E. S. (1993). Marital assortment and phenotypic convergence: Longitudinal evidence. Social Biology,40(1–2), 48–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/19485565.1993.9988835.
Article Google Scholar
Chopik, W. J., & Lucas, R. E. (2019). Actor, partner, and similarity effects of personality on global and experienced well-being. Journal of Research in Personality,78, 249–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.008.
Article Google Scholar
Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Four ways five factors are basic. Personality and Individual Differences,13(6), 653–665.
Article Google Scholar
Cummings, E. M., & Wilson, A. (1999). Contexts of marital conflict and children’s emotional security: Exploring the distinction between constructive and destructive conflict from the children’s perspective. In M. Cox & J. Brooks-Gunn (Eds.), Conflict and cohesion in families: Causes and consequences (pp. 105–129). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Google Scholar
Decuyper, M., De Bolle, M., & De Fruyt, F. (2012). Personality similarity, perceptual accuracy, and relationship satisfaction in dating and married couples. Personal Relationships,19, 128–145. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01344.x.
Article Google Scholar
Diener, E., & Chan, M. Y. (2011). Happy people live longer: Subjective wellbeing contributes to health and longevity. Applied Psychology: Health and Well Being,3, 1–43.
Google Scholar
Diener, E., Emmons, R., Larsen, R., & Griffen, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,49, 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13.
Article Google Scholar
Dong, M., Wu, S., Zhu, Y., Jin, S., & Zhang, Y. (2017). Secular examination of spirituality-prosociality association. Archive for the Psychology of Religion,39(1), 61–81. https://doi.org/10.1163/15736121-12341332.
Article Google Scholar
Dyrenforth, P. S., Kashy, D. A., Donnellan, M. B., & Lucas, R. E. (2010). Predicting relationship and life satisfaction from personality in nationally representative samples from three countries: The relative importance of actor, partner, and similarity effects. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,99(4), 690–702. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020385.
Article Google Scholar
Forehand, M. R., Deshpandé, R., & Reed, A., II. (2002). Identity salience and the influence of differential activation of the social self-schema on advertising response. Journal of Applied Psychology,87(6), 1086–1099. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.345280.
Article Google Scholar
Furler, K., Gomez, V., & Grob, A. (2013). Personality similarity and life satisfaction in couples. Journal of Research in Personality,47(4), 369–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2013.03.002.
Article Google Scholar
Furr, R. M. (2008). A framework for profile similarity: Integrating similarity, normativeness, and distinctiveness. Journal of Personality,76, 1267–1316. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00521.x.
Article Google Scholar
Gaunt, R. (2006). Couple similarity and marital satisfaction: Are similar spouses happier? Journal of Personality,74(5), 1401–1420. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2006.00414.x.
Article Google Scholar
George, D., Luo, S., Webb, J., Pugh, J., Martinez, A., & Foulston, J. (2015). Couple similarity on stimulus characteristics and marital satisfaction. Personality and Individual Differences,86, 126–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.06.005.
Article Google Scholar
Gerstorf, D., Windsor, T. D., Hoppmann, C. A., & Butterworth, P. (2013). Longitudinal change in spousal similarities on mental health: Between-couple and within-couple perspectives. Psychology and Aging,28(2), 540–554. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032902.
Article Google Scholar
Godoy, R., Eisenberg, D. T., Reyes-García, V., Huanca, T., Leonard, W. R., McDade, T. W., et al. (2008). Assortative mating and offspring well-being: Theory and empirical findings from a native Amazonian society in Bolivia. Evolution and Human Behavior,29(3), 201–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2007.12.003.
Article Google Scholar
Gonzaga, G. C., Campos, B., & Bradbury, T. (2007). Similarity, convergence, and relationship satisfaction in dating and married couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,93, 34–48. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.93.1.34.
Article Google Scholar
Gonzaga, G. C., Carter, S., & Buckwalter, J. G. (2010). Assortative mating, satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction in married couples. Personal Relationships,17, 634–644. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01309.x.
Article Google Scholar
Hartman, C. A., Lessem, J. M., Hopfer, C. J., Crowley, T. J., & Stallings, M. (2006). The family transmission of adolescent alcohol abuse and dependence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol,19, 657–664. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsa.2006.67.657.
Article Google Scholar
Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. New York, NY: Guilford Press. https://doi.org/10.1111/jedm.12050.
Book Google Scholar
Hitsch, G. J., Hortacsu, A., & Ariely, D. (2010). Matching and sorting in online dating. American Economic Review,100(1), 130–163. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.100.1.130.
Article Google Scholar
Humbad, M. N., Donnellan, M. B., Iacono, W. G., McGue, M., & Burt, S. A. (2013). Quantifying the association between personality similarity and marital adjustment using profile correlations: A cautionary tale. Journal of Research in Personality,47(1), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2012.09.007.
Article Google Scholar
Jacobson, P., Torgerson, J. S., Sjostrom, L., & Bouchard, C. (2007). Spouse resemblance in body mass index. American Journal of Epidemiology,165, 101–108. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwj342.
Article Google Scholar
Karney, B. R., & Bradbury, T. N. (1995). The longitudinal course of marital quality and stability: A review of theory, methods, and research. Psychological Bulletin,118, 3–34. https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.118.1.3.
Article Google Scholar
Keizer, R., & Komter, A. (2015). Are “equals” happier than “less equals”? A couple analysis of similarity and well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family,77(4), 954–967. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12194.
Article Google Scholar
Kenny, D. A., & Acitelli, L. K. (1994). Measuring similarity on couples. Journal of Family Psychology,8, 417–431. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.8.4.417.
Article Google Scholar
Kenny, D. A., Kashy, D. A., & Cook, W. L. (2006). Dyadic data analysis. New York: Guilford.
Google Scholar
Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Book Google Scholar
Leikas, S., Ilmarinen, V. J., Verkasalo, M., Vartiainen, H. L., & Lönnqvist, J. E. (2018). Relationship satisfaction and similarity of personality traits, personal values, and attitudes. Personality and Individual Differences,123, 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.024.
Article Google Scholar
Levinger, G., & Breedlove, J. (1966). Interpersonal attraction and agreement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,3, 367–372. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0023029.
Article Google Scholar
Luo, S. (2017). Assortative mating and couple similarity: Patterns, mechanisms, and consequences. Social and Personality Psychology Compass,11(8), e12337. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12337.
Article Google Scholar
Luo, S., Chen, H., Yue, G., Zhang, G., Zhaoyang, R., & Xu, D. (2008). Predicting marital satisfaction from self, partner, and couple characteristics: Is it me, you, or us? Journal of Personality,76(5), 1231–1266. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00520.x.
Article Google Scholar
Luo, S., & Klohnen, E. C. (2005). Assortative mating and marital quality in newlyweds: A couple-centered approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,88, 304–326. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.88.2.304.
Article Google Scholar
McCrae, R. R. (1996). Social consequences of experiential openness. Psychological Bulletin,120(3), 323–337. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.120.3.323.
Article Google Scholar
McKeown, K., Lehane, P., Rock, R., Haase, T., & Pratschke, J. (2002). Unhappy marriages: Does counselling help?, Report to ACCORD, December, Maynooth: ACCORD.
McLanahan, S. S., & Teitler, J. (1999). The consequences of father absence. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), Parenting and child development in “nontraditional” families (pp. 83–102). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Google Scholar
Menestrel, S. L. (1999, May). What do fathers contribute to children’s well-being? Washington, DC: Child Trends.
Book Google Scholar
Murphy, P. E., Canada, A. L., Fitchett, G., Stein, K., Portier, K., Crammer, C., et al. (2010). An examination of the 3-factor model and structural invariance across racial/ethnic groups for the FACITSp: A report from the American Cancer Society’s Study of Cancer Survivors-II (SCS-II). Psycho-Oncology,19(3), 264–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.1559.
Article Google Scholar
Murstein, B. I. (1970). Stimulus–value–role: A theory of marital choice. Journal of Marriage and Family,32, 465–481. https://doi.org/10.2307/350113.
Article Google Scholar
Nemechek, S., & Olson, K. R. (1999). Five-factor personality similarity and marital adjustment. Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal,27(3), 309–317. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.1999.27.3.309.
Article Google Scholar
Peterman, A. H., Fitchett, G., Brady, M. J., Hernandez, L., & Cella, D. (2002). Measuring spiritual well-being in people with cancer: The functional assessment of chronic illness therapy—Spiritual Well-being Scale (FACIT-Sp). Annals of Behavioral Medicine,24(1), 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324796ABM2401_06.
Article Google Scholar
Rammstedt, B., Spinath, F. M., Richter, D., & Schupp, J. (2013). Partnership longevity and personality congruence in couples. Personality and Individual Differences,54, 832–835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2012.12.007.
Article Google Scholar
Shiota, M. N., & Levenson, R. W. (2007). Birds of a feather don’t always fly farthest: Similarity on Big Five personality predicts more negative marital satisfaction trajectories in long-term marriages. Psychology and Aging,22(4), 666–675. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.22.4.666.
Article Google Scholar
Solomon, B. C., & Jackson, J. J. (2014). The long reach of one’s spouse: Spouses’ personality influences occupational success. Psychological Science,25(12), 2189–2198. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614551370.
Article Google Scholar
Steptoe, A., Deaton, A., & Stone, A. A. (2015). Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing. The Lancet,385(9968), 640–648.
Article Google Scholar
Sun, Y. (2001). Family environment and adolescents’ well-being before and after parents’ marital disruption: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family,63(3), 697–713. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2001.00697.x.
Article Google Scholar
Thiessen, D., & Gregg, B. (1980). Human assortative mating and genetic equilibrium: An evolutionary perspective. Ethology and Sociobiology,1(2), 111–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/0162-3095(80)90003-5.
Article Google Scholar
Velotti, P., Balzarotti, S., Tagliabue, S., English, T., Zavattini, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2016). Emotional suppression in early marriage: Actor, partner, and similarity effects on marital quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships,33(3), 277–302. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407515574466.
Article Google Scholar
Watson, D., Klohnen, E. C., Casillas, A., Simms, E. N., Haig, J., & Berry, D. S. (2004). Match makers and deal breakers: Analyses of assortative mating in newlywed couples. Journal of Personality,72(5), 1029–1068. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3506.2004.00289.x.
Article Google Scholar
Weidmann, R., Ledermann, T., & Grob, A. (2017a). The interdependence of personality and satisfaction in couple: A review. European Psychologist,21, 284–295. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000261.
Article Google Scholar
Weidmann, R., Schönbrodt, F. D., Ledermann, T., & Grob, A. (2017b). Concurrent and longitudinal dyadic polynomial regression analyses of big five traits and relationship satisfaction: Does similarity matter? Journal of Research in Personality,70, 6–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2017.04.003.
Article Google Scholar
Wood, D., & Furr, R. M. (2016). The correlates of similarity estimates are often misleadingly positive: The nature and scope of the problem, and some solutions. Personality and Social Psychology Review,20(2), 79–99. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868315581119.
Article Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, No. 88 East Wenhuadong Road, Jinan, 250014, People’s Republic of China
Rui Wu, Qingke Guo, Minghang Cai & Jing Zhou
Beijing Key Lab of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China
Zhen Liu

Authors

Rui Wu
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Zhen Liu
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Qingke Guo
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Minghang Cai
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Jing Zhou
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Zhen Liu or Qingke Guo.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wu, R., Liu, Z., Guo, Q. et al. Couple Similarity on Personality, Moral Identity and Spirituality Predict Life Satisfaction of Spouses and Their Offspring. J Happiness Stud 21, 1037–1058 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00108-8

Download citation

Published: 22 April 2019
Issue Date: March 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00108-8

Keywords

Couple similarity
Personality
Moral identity
Spirituality
Spouses’ life satisfaction
Children’s life satisfaction