Abstract
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: N = 195 newlyweds, longitudinal; S2: N = 249 couples who transition into first parenthood, longitudinal; S3: N = 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.
Highlights
Trait Self-control, defined as the ability to inhibit unwanted impulses and to respond in a goal-directed manner (Vohs and Baumeister, 2016, p. 2), is important in many life domains, including the functioning and wellbeing of romantic relationships (Finkel and Campbell, 2001; Karremans et al, 2015)
Cross-Sectional Actor and Partner Effects of Trait Self-Control on Relationship Satisfaction Cross-sectional actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) statistics are summarized in Table 4 and Figure 1
We found some gender differences, such that cross-sectionally men’s levels of trait selfcontrol were associated with their female partner’s relationship satisfaction, but women’s levels of trait self-control were not associated with their male partner’s relationship satisfaction
Summary
Trait Self-control, defined as the ability to inhibit unwanted impulses and to respond in a goal-directed manner (Vohs and Baumeister, 2016, p. 2), is important in many life domains, including the functioning and wellbeing of romantic relationships (Finkel and Campbell, 2001; Karremans et al, 2015). Many studies found that trait self-control is associated with various relationship benefits, such as increased levels of perspective-taking (Tangney et al, 2004), responsiveness (Gomillion et al, 2014), constructive communication (Bornstein and Shaffer, 2017), sacrifice (Pronk and Karremans, 2014), forgiveness (Burnette et al, 2014), reductions in aggressiveness (Denson et al, 2012), and refraining from the temptation of attractive alternatives (Pronk et al, 2011) Given these positive romantic relationship outcomes, it seems reasonable to assume that the higher one’s trait self-control, the higher romantic relationship satisfaction will be, in both the individual and the partner, and that the current level of trait selfcontrol is predictive of future relationship satisfaction. We explored whether trait self-control plays a unique role in predicting relationship satisfaction when a core factor of relationship wellbeing, relationship commitment, is considered
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