DATING RELATIONSHIP QUALITY - EFFECTS OF GLOBAL SELF-VERIFICATION ANDSELF-ENHANCEMENT

This study explored the effects of self-verification and self-enhancem ent on dating relationship quality. We predicted that dating persons s hould be more intimate, satisfied, and committed when they perceive th at their partners evaluate them in ways that are either consistent wit h or more positive than their own self-evaluations. A survey of dating undergraduate women involved in stable dating relationships tested th ese predictions, using global and specific measures of self-evaluation s and perceived partner evaluations of the self. Global self-verificat ion and self-enhancement each accounted for unique variance in measure s of intimacy and satisfaction. Parallel findings emerged with regard to self-verification and self-enhancement based upon specific self-att ributes, although these findings were less robust, Divergence from ear lier work that suggested no role for self-verification among dating co uples is discussed, and implications of self-verification and self-enh ancement for relationship quality during courtship are addressed.