Date of Award

8-1997

Access Restriction

Campus Access only Theses

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Counseling Psychology

School or College

Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts

Abstract

This study investigated hypotheses relating personality, leisure activity participation, and conflict resolution for dating, engaged and married couples (N = 51) to relationship satisfaction. The relationships of each couple' s personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraverson, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness), hours of participation in leisure activities together, average preference rating for activities done together, and conflict resolution styles (Positive Problem Solving, Conflict Engagement, Withdrawal, Compliance) were examined. Closer similarities in Neuroticism and Openness to Experience correlated with higher relationship satisfaction. Closer similarities in Conscientiousness predicted higher relationship satisfaction. Less similarities in Agreeableness predicted higher relationship satisfaction. Higher hours of participation in activities participated in-together predicted lower relationship satisfaction. Higher use of Positive Problem Solving and less use of Withdrawal correlated with higher relationship satisfaction. Less use of Compliance predicted higher satisfaction. Closer similarity in use of Compliance predicted higher relationship satisfaction. Less similarities in Agreeableness, less hours in activities together and less use of Compliance differentiated between highly satisfied and less satisfied couples. The results support both similarity and complementary research.

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