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Couple Similarity on Personality, Moral Identity and Spirituality Predict Life Satisfaction of Spouses and Their Offspring

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  • Rui Wu

    (Shandong Normal University)

  • Zhen Liu

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Qingke Guo

    (Shandong Normal University)

  • Minghang Cai

    (Shandong Normal University)

  • Jing Zhou

    (Shandong Normal University)

Abstract

This study examined the effects of couple similarity on spouses’ and children’s life satisfaction using a large representative sample of 1761 participants (587 married couples and their children). Drawing on the stimulus–value–role theory demonstrating couple similarities in different domains, similarities on personality and value (moral identity and spirituality) was investigated. Based on evolutionary perspectives and the vulnerability–stress–adaptation model of marriage, we hypothesized that couple similarities in these domains are associated with spouses’ life satisfaction. We further proposed that couple similarities may be beneficial for offspring’s well-being. The Actor–Partner Interdependence Model was used to test the independent contribution of couple similarity. The PROCESS macro Model 4 was used to test the direct and indirect effects of similarity on children’s life satisfaction. The results showed (1) Similarity on agreeableness, openness, moral identity, and spirituality contributed to spouses’ life satisfaction after controlling for actor effects, partner effects, and Normative-Desirability Confound; (2) Similarity on moral identity had indirect effect on children’s life satisfaction through fathers’ life satisfaction, and similarity on spirituality had not only a direct effect on children’s life satisfaction but also an indirect effect through fathers’ life satisfaction. These findings are consistent with evolutionary perspectives that positive assortment can enhance reproductive fitness through improved marital functioning. This study also provides support for the vulnerability–stress–adaptation model of marriage, suggesting that couple similarity may serve as enduring strengths that promote adaptive processes in marital relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Wu & Zhen Liu & Qingke Guo & Minghang Cai & Jing Zhou, 2020. "Couple Similarity on Personality, Moral Identity and Spirituality Predict Life Satisfaction of Spouses and Their Offspring," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1037-1058, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00108-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00108-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rammstedt, Beatrice & Spinath, Frank M. & Richter, David & Schupp, Jürgen, 2013. "Partnership Longevity and Personality Congruence in Couples," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 54(7), pages 832-835.
    2. Gunter J. Hitsch & Ali Hortaçsu & Dan Ariely, 2010. "Matching and Sorting in Online Dating," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(1), pages 130-163, March.
    3. Richard Carciofo & Jiaoyan Yang & Nan Song & Feng Du & Kan Zhang, 2016. "Psychometric Evaluation of Chinese-Language 44-Item and 10-Item Big Five Personality Inventories, Including Correlations with Chronotype, Mindfulness and Mind Wandering," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-26, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peng Cui & Yanhui Mao & Yufan Shen & Jianhong Ma, 2021. "Moral Identity and Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Identity Commitment Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.

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