Predicting relationship stability from both partners versus one.

Abstract

This study investigated whether longitudinal predictions of stability are improved when assessments of the relationship are obtained from both members of the couple rather than just from 1 partner and, if so, which partner's assessments are the most diagnostic of stability. Both partners in 120 dating couples provided self-report assessments on 16 relationship dimensions, and 6 months later 2 outcomes were examined: stability and emotional distress if breakup had occurred. Assessments from both partners were more predictive of stability than were assessments from 1 (randomly chosen) partner, but the improvement was small. Assessments from female partners were no more predictive of stability than were those from male partners. However, assessments from weak-link partners (whose standing on stability indicators was lower than the other member of the couple) were significantly more diagnostic of stability than were those from strong-link partners. These and other findings are discussed. The identification of factors that contribute to the stability of a relationship has been of continuing theoretical and empirical concern to relationship researchers. Some indication of the central role that the prediction of relationship stability has played in relationship theory and research is provided by the sheer number of variables that have been theoretically proposed and empirically shown to predict the stability of relationships in general and of romantic relationships in particular (for a review, see Surra, 1990). The stability of an individual's premarital, romantic relationship, for example, has been associated with the individual's initial report of: greater investment in the relationship (Felmlee, Sprecher, & Bassin, 1990; Hendrick, Hendrick, & Adler, 1988; Lund, 1985,Rusbult, 1983);greater commitment to maintaining the relationship (Hendrick et al., 1988; Lund, 1985; Rusbult, 1983); greater love for the partner (Berg & McQuinn, 1986; Lund, 1985; Rubin, Peplau, & Hill, 1981); more time spent together with the partner (Berscheid, Snyder, & Omoto, 1989; Simpson, 1987; Felmlee etal., 1990); greater diversity of activities performed with the partner (Berscheid et al., 1989; Simpson, 1987; Surra & Longstreth, 1990); greater strength of