The Influence of Personal Characteristics and Relationship Properties on Marital Support

Authors: Verhofstadt, Lesley L.; Buysse, Ann; Devoldre, Inge; De Corte, Kim

Source: Psychologica Belgica, Volume 47, Number 3, 2007 , pp. 195-217(23)

Publisher: Academia Press

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Abstract:

Self-report data from 200 married couples were used to examine personal characteristics (i.e., extraversion, neuroticism, attachment-related anxiety and avoidance) and relationship properties (i.e., intimacy, commitment, marital conflict, and marital satisfaction) as determinants of supportive behaviours and perceptions of support availability within marital relationships. The data revealed that both personal and relational variables had important value in the prediction of support perceptions, support seeking, and support provision in marriage. Furthermore, relational predictors were found to explain more variability in spousal support than personal characteristics. Finally, results indicated that personal influences on support perceptions and support behaviours were less pronounced when relationship features were taken into account. In conclusion, the present research advocates in favour of a relationship perspective on social support in marriage.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2007-10-01

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Psychologica Belgica is the flagship journal of the Belgian Association for Psychological Science. It appears quarterly and publishes peer-reviewed scientific contributions to all domains of psychology as well as book reviews. Contributions take the form of full-length articles or short reports. Psychologica Belgica is listed in all major indexes, including Current Contents and Psychological Abstracts.
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