Family functioning, personality and life satisfaction in married couples

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Published: Jan 12, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2014.n1.v6.758
Keywords:
Life satisfaction big five personality family functioning gender differences married couples

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K. Schoeps
Universidad de Valencia
Ana Ordóñez López
Personal de investigación
Inmaculada Montoya Castilla
Universidad de Valencia
Remedios González Barrón
Universidad de Valencia

Abstract

Theory and research suggest that the personality characteristics that each spouse brings to a relationship are related to marital and life satisfaction. Furthermore, a variety of studies have shown that Emotional Stability, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness are strongly related to relationship satisfaction, which in turn benefits spouses’ satisfaction with life in general. Regarding family functioning, familial cohesion, defined as the degree of togetherness or closeness or emotional bonding that family members have toward one another, was found to be correlated with inter-personal well-being and satisfaction in adults. On the one hand, there haven‘t been specific study yet which investigate the influence of personality characteristics of family members and spouses on individual well-being mediated by family and marital functioning. On the other hand, analyses looking at gender differences are inconsistent. Until now, there haven’t been found any consistent indications regarding similar vs. dissimilar partner’s personality characteristics to be predictors of satisfaction in married couples. The present study aims to identify the personality effects on family functioning and spouses’ life satisfaction, as well as gender differences. One hundred eighty-seven married couples (N=374) completed the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10), “Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale” (FACES III) y the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). The data were analysed using paired sample t-test, ANOVAs, bivariate correlations and multiple regressions. The results indicated significant associations between spouses’ satisfaction with life, personality traits and family functioning revealing different patterns for wife and husband. Spouses’ personality traits and familial cohesion were found to be significant predictors of satisfaction. We conclude that couples resemble each other psychologically but the relationship that we found between the evaluated variables has greater relevance for women than for their husbands.

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How to Cite
Schoeps, K., Ordóñez López, A., Montoya Castilla, I., & González Barrón, R. (2014). Family functioning, personality and life satisfaction in married couples. International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology. Revista INFAD De Psicología., 6(1), 381–392. https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2014.n1.v6.758
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2014): PSYCHOLOGY AND MODERN WORLD
Section
Articles
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