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PERSONAL VULNERABILITIES AND ASSORTATIVE MATE SELECTION AMONG NEWLYWED SPOUSES
Joseph M Trombello1, Dominik Schoebi2, Thomas N Bradbury3
1The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Individuals tend to choose partners similar to themselves. Your own relationship insecurity predicts your partner
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Assortative mating theories suggest partner selection based on shared qualities.
- Stress-generation and intergenerational divorce models link personal history to marital outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine predictors and mediators of a marital partner's risk index.
- To test how individual insecurity and family history influence partner risk.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed data from 172 newlywed couples.
- Created a partner risk index using factor analysis.
- Employed structural equation modeling to test pathways.
Main Results:
- An individual's risk index (insecurity) predicted their partner's risk index.
- Own risk index mediated the link between family history/depression and partner risk.
- Partner risk index correlated with marital satisfaction and divorce initiation in men.
Conclusions:
- Findings support assortative mating theories.
- An individual's own insecurity profile explains the link between adverse histories and partner risk.
- Understanding personal risk factors is key to marital stability.
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