Two personalities, one relationship: Both partners' personality traits shape the quality of their relationship

This research tested 6 models of the independent and interactive effects of stable personality traits on each partner's reports of relationship satisf action and quality. Both members of 360 couples (N = 720) completed the Mul tidimensional Personality Questionnaire and were interviewed about their re lationship. Findings show that a woman's relationship happiness is predicte d by her partner's low Negative Emotionality, high Positive Emotionality, a nd high Constraint, whereas a man's relationship happiness is predicted onl y by his partner's low Negative Emotionality. Findings also show evidence o f additive but not interactive effects: Each partner's personality contribu ted independently to relationship outcomes but not in a synergistic way. Th ese results are discussed in relation to models that seek to integrate rese arch on individual differences in personality traits with research on inter personal processes in intimate relationships.