Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-18T07:17:14.078Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Intimate Relationships in China: Predictors Across Genders for Dating, Engaged, and Married Individuals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2012

Robert J. Taormina  and
Ivy K.M. Ho
Robert J. Taormina*
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Macau, China
Ivy K.M. Ho
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Macau, China
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Robert J. Taormina, Psychology Department, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Macau, Av. Padre Tomas Pereira, SJ, Macau (SAR)China. E-mail: Taormina@umac.mo
Get access

Abstract

Intimate relationship satisfaction was evaluated by 258 (male and female) dating, engaged, and married Chinese individuals on four dimensions (emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical), which were examined in relation to several personal and social characteristics (emotional intelligence, extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, self-esteem, partner's physical attractiveness, traditional Chinese values, gender attributes, interpersonal trust, locus of control, and family emotional support) as hypothesised predictors of relationship intimacy. In turn, the four relationship dimensions were tested as predictors for satisfaction of the belongingness need. Correlations confirmed the hypothesised relationships that the personal and social variables had with the four intimate relationship dimensions, while regressions revealed different patterns of predictors across gender for each of the relationship dimensions. Also, plots of the different mean scores on the four relationship dimensions for dating, engaged, and married individuals revealed very similar patterns, with engaged persons consistently showing the highest scores on all four dimensions. In addition, overall satisfaction with one's intimate relationship proved to be a predictor of satisfaction of the belongingness need for both genders. The discussion centres on the variables that predicted the intimate relationship dimensions and on gender differences in those variables and in variables that predicted satisfaction of the belongingness need.

Keywords

belongingnessintimate relationshipsemotionalintellectualspiritualphysicalgender
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 3 , December 2012 , pp. 24 - 43
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ainsworth, M.D.S. (1989). Attachment beyond infancy. American Psychology, 44 (4), 709–716.Google Scholar
Andersson, L., & Stevens, N. (1993). Associations between early experiences with parents and well-being in old age. Journals of Gerontology, 48 (3), 109–116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barelds, D.P.H. (2005). Self and partner in intimate relationships. European Journal of Personality, 19 (6), 501–518.Google Scholar
Baumeister, R.F., & Leary, M.R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117 (3), 497–529.Google Scholar
Bem, S.L. (1981). Bem Sex Role Inventory: Professional manual. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.Google Scholar
Ben-Ari, A., & Lavee, Y. (2005). Dyadic characteristics of individual attributes: Attachment, neuroticism, and their relation to marital quality and closeness. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 75 (4), 621–631.Google Scholar
Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1974). Physical attractiveness. In Berkowitz, L. (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 7, pp. 157–215). New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Blumstein, P., & Schwartz, P. (1983). American couples. New York: Morrow.Google Scholar
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1 Attachment. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
Brackett, M.A., Rivers, S.E., Shiffman, S., Lerner, N., & Salovey, P. (2006). Relating emotional abilities to social functioning: A comparison of self-report and performance measures of emotional intelligence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91 (4), 780–795.Google Scholar
Brackett, M.A., Warner, R.M., & Bosco, J.S. (2005). Emotional intelligence and relationship quality among couples. Personal Relationship, 12 (2), 197–212.Google Scholar
Bugaighis, M.A., Schumm, W., Bollman, S., & Jurich, A. (1983). Locus of control and marital satisfaction. Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 114 (2), 275–279.Google Scholar
Cho, W., & Cross, S. (1995). Taiwanese love styles and their association with self-esteem and relationship quality. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 121 (3), 283–309.Google ScholarPubMed
Coleman, M., & Ganong, L.H. (1985). Love and sex role stereotypes: Do macho men and feminine women make better lovers? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49 (1), 170–176.Google Scholar
Coopersmith, S. (1967). The antecedents of self-esteem. San Francisco: Freeman.Google Scholar
Costa, P.T. Jr., & McCrae, R.R. (1992). NEO-PI-R professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.Google Scholar
Denissen, J.J.A., Penke, L., Schmitt, D.P., & van Aken, M.A.G. (2008). Self-esteem reactions to social interactions: Evidence for sociometer mechanisms across days, people, and nations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95 (1), 181–196.Google Scholar
Doherty, W.J., & Ryder, R.G. (1979). Locus of control, interpersonal trust, and assertive behavior among newlyweds. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37 (12), 2212–2220.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Echabe, A.E. (2010). Role identities versus social identities: Masculinity, femininity, instrumentality and communality. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 13 (1), 30–43.Google Scholar
Engel, G., Olson, K.R., & Patrick, C. (2002). The personality of love: Fundamental motives and traits related to components of love. Personality and Individual Differences, 32 (5), 839–853.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Feather, R. (2009). Emotional intelligence in relation to nursing leadership: Does it matter? Journal of Nursing Management, 17 (3), 376–382.Google Scholar
Fisher, T.D., & McNulty, J.K. (2008). Neuroticism and marital satisfaction: The mediating role played by the sexual relationship. Journal of Family Psychology, 22 (1), 112–122.Google Scholar
Fitness, J. (2001). Emotional intelligence and intimate relationship. In Ciarrochi, J., Forgas, J.P., & Mayer, J.D. (Eds.), Emotional intelligence in everyday life (pp. 98–112). New York: Psychology Press.Google Scholar
Hair, J. F., Anderson, R., Tatham, R., & Black, W. (1998). Multivariate data analysis (5th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
Hambrick, E.P., & McCord, D.M. (2010). Proactive coping and its relation to the Five-Factor Model of Personality. Individual Differences Research, 8 (2), 67–77.Google Scholar
Harman, H.H. (1960). Modern factor analysis. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Hassebrauck, M. (1997). Cognitions of relationship quality: A prototype analysis of their structure and consequences. Personal Relationships, 4 (2), 163–185.Google Scholar
Hendrick, S.S., Hendrick, C., & Adler, N.L. (1988). Romantic relationships: Love, satisfaction, and staying together. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54 (6), 980–988.Google Scholar
Hill, C.T., Peplau, L.A., & Rubin, Z. (1981). Differing perceptions in dating couples: Sex roles vs. alternative explanations. Psychology of Woman Quarterly, 5 (3), 418–419.Google Scholar
Holland, A.S., & Roisman, G.I. (2008). Big five personality traits and relationship quality: Self-reported, observational, and physiological evidence. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25 (5), 811–829.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, J.G., & Rempel, J.K. (1989). Trust in close relationships. In Hendrick, C. (Ed.), Close relationships (pp. 187–220). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Holt, C.L., & Ellis, J.B. (1998). Assessing the current validity of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory. Sex Roles, 39 (11/12), 929–941.Google Scholar
Holt, M.L., Devlin, J.M., Flamez, B., & Eckstein, D. (2009). Using the Holt Relationship Intimacy Qustionnaire (HRIO): What intimacy means to you and your partner. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 17 (2), 146–150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hsu, F.L.K. (1981). Americans and Chinese: Passage to differences (3rd ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.Google Scholar
Jackson, D.N., Paunonen, S.V., & Tremblay, P.F. (2000). Six factor personality questionnaire manual. Port Huron, MI: Sigma Assessment Systems.Google Scholar
Kurdek, L.A., & Schmitt, J.P. (1986). Relationship quality of partners in heterosexual married, heterosexual cohabitating, and gay and lesbian relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51 (4), 711–720.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Leary, M.R., & MacDonald, G. (2003). Individual differences in self-esteem: A review and theoretical integration. In Leary, M.R. & Tangney, J.P. (Eds.), Handbook of self and identity (pp. 401–418). New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Leary, M.R., Tambor, E.S., Terdal, S.K., & Downs, D.L. (1995). Self-esteem as an interpersonal monitor: The sociometer hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68 (3), 518–530.Google Scholar
Levenson, H. (1981). Differentiating among internality, powerful others, and chance. In Lefcourt, H.M. (Ed.), Research with the locus of control construct: Assessment methods, Vol. 1 (pp. 15–63). New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Levinger, G., Rands, M., & Talaber, R. (1977). The assessment of involvement and rewardingness in close and causal pair relationships (National Science Foundation Technical Report DK). Amherst: University of Massachusetts.Google Scholar
Lopes, P.N., Salovey, P., & Straus, R. (2003). Emotional intelligence, personality, and the perceived quality of social relationships. Personality and Individual Differences, 35 (3), 641–658.Google Scholar
Macau Statistics and Census Survey. (2008). Yearbook of statistics. Macau: Citiprint. Retrieved from http://www.dsec.gov.mo/Statistic.aspxGoogle Scholar
Mackey, R.A., & O'Brien, B.A. (2005). The significance of religion in lasting marriages. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 18 (1), 35–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mahoney, A., Pargament, K.I., Jewell, T., Swank, A.B., Scott, E., Emery, E., & Rye, M. (1999). Marriage and the spiritual realm: The role of proximal and distal religious constructs in marital functioning. Journal of Family Psychology, 13 (3), 321–338.Google Scholar
Maslow, A.H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50 (4), 370–396.Google Scholar
Maslow, A.H. (1971). The farther reaches of human nature. New York: Viking Press.Google Scholar
Mayer, J.D., Salovey, P., & Caruso, D.R. (2008). Emotional intelligence. New ability or eclectic traits? American Psychologists, 63 (6), 503–517.Google Scholar
McCrae, R.R., & CostaP.T., Jr P.T., Jr. (1997). Personality trait structure as a human universal. American Psychologist, 52 (5), 509–516.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mlott, S.R., & Lira, F.T. (1977). Dogmatism, locus of control, and life goals in stable and unstable marriages. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 33 (1), 142–146.Google Scholar
Moss, B.F., & Schwebel, A.I. (1993). Defining intimacy in romantic relationships. Family Relations, 42 (1), 31–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moss-Racusin, C.A., Good, J.J., & Sanchez, D.T. (2010). Impact of collective gender identity on relationship quality when men feel devalued. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 11 (1), 65–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mueser, K.T., Grau, B.W., Sussman, S., & Rosen, A.J. (1984). You're only as pretty as you feel: Facial expression as a determinant of physical attractiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46 (2), 469–478.Google Scholar
Murray, S.L., Holmes, J.G., & Griffin, D.W. (2000). Self-esteem and the quest for felt security: How perceived regard regulates attachment processes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78 (3), 478–498.Google Scholar
Parks, M.R., & Eggert, L.L. (1991). The role of social context in the dynamics of personal relationships. In Jones, W.H. & Perlman, D. (Eds.), Advances in personal relationships, Vol. 2 (pp. 1–34). London: Jessica Kingsley.Google Scholar
Parmar, P., Ibrahim, M., & Rohner, R.P. (2008). Relations among perceived spouse acceptance, remembered parental acceptance in childhood, and psychological adjustment among married adults in Kuwait. Cross-Culture Research, 42 (1), 67–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A classification and handbook. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Procidano, M.E., & Heller, K. (1983). Measures of perceived social support from friends and family. American Journal of Community Psychology, 11 (1), 1–23.Google Scholar
Robinson, L.C. (2000). Interpersonal relationship quality in young adulthood: A gender analysis. Adolescence, 35 (140), 775–784.Google Scholar
Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.Google Scholar
Rotter, J.B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs, 80 (1), 1–28.Google Scholar
Rotter, J.B. (1967). A new scale for the measurement of interpersonal trust. Journal of Personality, 35 (4), 651–665.Google Scholar
Sabatelli, R.M., Buck, R., & Dreyer, A. (1983). Locus of control, interpersonal trust, and nonverbal communication accuracy. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44 (2), 399–409.Google Scholar
Sangrador, J.L., & Yela, C. (2000). ‘What is beautiful is loved’: Physical attractiveness in love relationships in a representative sample. Social Behavior and Personality, 28 (3), 207–218.Google Scholar
Schmuck, P., Kasser, T., & Ryan, R.M. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic goals: Their structure and relationship to well-being in German and U.S. college students. Social Indicators Research, 50 (2), 225–241.Google Scholar
Schutte, N.S., Malouff, J.M., Hall, L.E., Haggerty, D.J., Cooper, J.T., Golden, C.J., & Dornheim, L. (1998). Development and validation of a measure of emotional intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 25 (2), 167–177.Google Scholar
Sigall, H., & Landy, D. (1973). Radiating beauty: Effects of having a physical attractive partner on person perception. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 28 (2), 218–224.Google Scholar
Sinclair, V.G., & Dowdy, S.W. (2005). Development and validation of the Emotional Intimacy Scale. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 13 (3), 193–206.Google Scholar
Sternberg, R.J. (1997). Construct validation of a triangular love scale. European Journal of Social Psychology, 27 (3), 313–335.Google Scholar
Sternberg, R.J., & Grajek, S. (1984). The nature of love. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 47 (2), 312–329.Google Scholar
Sun, C.T.L. (2008). Themes in Chinese psychology. Singapore: Cengage Learning.Google Scholar
Swami, V., & Furnham, A. (2008). The psychology of physical attraction. London:Routledge.Google Scholar
Swami, V., Stieger, S., Haubner, T., Voracek, M., & Furnham, A. (2009). Evaluating the physical attractiveness of oneself and one's romantic partner. Journal of Individual Difference, 30 (1), 35–43.Google Scholar
Taormina, R.J. (2009). Social and personality correlates of gambling attitudes and behavior among Chinese residents of Macau. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 26 (7), 1–25.Google Scholar
Tolstedt, B.E., & Stokes, J.P. (1983). Relation of verbal, affective, and physical intimacy to marital satisfaction. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 30 (4), 573–580.Google Scholar
Trommsdorff, G., & John, H. (1992). Decoding affective communication in intimate relationships. European Journal of Social Psychology, 22 (1), 41–54.Google Scholar
U.S. Census Bureau. (2009). Marital status of the population by sex and age: 2008. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0057.pdfGoogle Scholar
Voss, K., Markiewicz, D., & Doyle, A.B. (1999). Friendship, marriage and self-esteem. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 16 (1), 103–122.Google Scholar
Watson, D., Hubbard, B., & Wiese, D. (2000). General traits of personality and affectivity as predictors of satisfaction in intimate relationships: Evidence from self- and partner-ratings. Journal of Personality, 68 (3), 413–449.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yang, K.S. (1995). Chinese social orientation: An integrative analysis. In Lin, T.Y., Tseng, W.S., & Yeh, E.K. (Eds.), Chinese societies and mental health (pp. 19–39). Hong Kong: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Zak, A., Coulter, C., Giglio, S., Hall, J., Sanford, S., & Pellowski, N. (2002). Do his friends and family like me? Predictors of infidelity in intimate relationships. North American Journal of Psychology, 4 (2), 287–290.Google Scholar
Zak, A., Gold, J., Ryckman, R., & Lenney, E. (1998). Assessments of trust in intimate relationships and the self-perception process. The Journal of Social Psychology, 138 (2), 217–228.Google Scholar
Zeidner, M., & Kaluda, I. (2008). Romantic love: What's emotional intelligence (EI) got to do with it? Personality and Individual Differences, 44 (8), 1684–1695.Google Scholar