Are Differences Between Partners Always Detrimental? The Moderating Role of Future Connectedness
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Moss, Simon Andrew
Dolan, Jasmine
Abstract / Description
Whether perceived differences between romantic partners compromises or enhances relationships may depend on the characteristics of individuals. This study explores the possibility that differences in capabilities but not motives enhance relationship satisfaction—but only when the individuals feel connected to their future identity. In particular, when individuals feel connected to their future identity, their primary motivation is to accrue capabilities and resources that could be useful in subsequent decades. They will thus seek partners with capabilities they have yet to acquire because, consistent with self-expansion theory, they tend to perceive these abilities as part of their own self-concept. To test this premise, 152 individuals rated the motives and capabilities of both themselves and their partners and also answered questions that gauge their relationship satisfaction and connectedness to their future identity. Perceived differences in motives and capabilities were inversely associated with relationship satisfaction. However, when participants felt connected to their future identity, the inverse association between differences in capabilities and relationship satisfaction diminished. Accordingly, if individuals perceive their lives as stable, they can embrace some differences between themselves and their partner.
Keyword(s)
capabilities connectedness to the future motives relationship satisfactionPersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2014-12-19
Journal title
Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships
Volume
8
Issue
2
Page numbers
180–192
Publisher
PsychOpen GOLD
Publication status
publishedVersion
Review status
peerReviewed
Is version of
Citation
Moss, S. A., & Dolan, J. (2014). Are Differences Between Partners Always Detrimental? The Moderating Role of Future Connectedness. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 8(2), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v8i2.161
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There are no other versions of this object.
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Moss, Simon Andrew
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Dolan, Jasmine
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2018-12-05T08:44:38Z
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Made available on2018-12-05T08:44:38Z
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Date of first publication2014-12-19
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Abstract / DescriptionWhether perceived differences between romantic partners compromises or enhances relationships may depend on the characteristics of individuals. This study explores the possibility that differences in capabilities but not motives enhance relationship satisfaction—but only when the individuals feel connected to their future identity. In particular, when individuals feel connected to their future identity, their primary motivation is to accrue capabilities and resources that could be useful in subsequent decades. They will thus seek partners with capabilities they have yet to acquire because, consistent with self-expansion theory, they tend to perceive these abilities as part of their own self-concept. To test this premise, 152 individuals rated the motives and capabilities of both themselves and their partners and also answered questions that gauge their relationship satisfaction and connectedness to their future identity. Perceived differences in motives and capabilities were inversely associated with relationship satisfaction. However, when participants felt connected to their future identity, the inverse association between differences in capabilities and relationship satisfaction diminished. Accordingly, if individuals perceive their lives as stable, they can embrace some differences between themselves and their partner.en_US
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Publication statuspublishedVersion
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Review statuspeerReviewed
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CitationMoss, S. A., & Dolan, J. (2014). Are Differences Between Partners Always Detrimental? The Moderating Role of Future Connectedness. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 8(2), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v8i2.161en_US
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ISSN1981-6472
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/1828
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2194
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Language of contenteng
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PublisherPsychOpen GOLD
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.v8i2.161
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Keyword(s)capabilitiesen_US
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Keyword(s)connectedness to the futureen_US
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Keyword(s)motivesen_US
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Keyword(s)relationship satisfactionen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleAre Differences Between Partners Always Detrimental? The Moderating Role of Future Connectednessen_US
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DRO typearticle
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Issue2
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Journal titleInterpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships
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Page numbers180–192
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Volume8
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Visible tag(s)Version of Record