AUTHOR=Zuo Pei-Ying , Karremans Johan C. , Scheres Anouk , Kluwer Esther S. , Burk William J. , Kappen Gesa , Ter Kuile Hagar 

TITLE=A Dyadic Test of the Association Between Trait Self-Control and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.594476

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.594476

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p>Previous research has demonstrated that trait self-control is related to a range of positive romantic relationship processes, suggesting that trait self-control should be positively and robustly linked to relationship satisfaction in both partners in a romantic relationship. However, the existing empirical evidence is limited and mixed, especially regarding partner effects (i.e., the effect of one’s self-control on the partner’s relationship satisfaction). With three datasets of heterosexual couples (S1: <italic>N</italic> = 195 newlyweds, longitudinal; S2: <italic>N</italic> = 249 couples who transition into first parenthood, longitudinal; S3: <italic>N</italic> = 929 couples, cross-sectional), the present pre-registered studies examined: (1) the dyadic associations between trait self-control and relationship satisfaction both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and (2) whether these effects hold when controlling for both partners’ relationship commitment. The results indicated a cross-sectional positive actor effect, some support for a positive cross-sectional partner effect, and only little support for a longitudinal actor (but not partner) effect. After controlling for relationship commitment, all effects of trait self-control on satisfaction diminished except for a longitudinal actor effect among women in Study 2. Potential explanations for the current results, and implications for theory and practice, are discussed.</p>