The effects of similarity in personality and values on relationship satisfaction among dating couples: A response surface analysis

Past research has shown couple similarity contributes to the development of romantic relationships. Most findings, however, are based on traditional approaches (e.g., difference scores, profile correlations, etc.), which have been found to have major limitations. Using response surface analysis (RSA), this study examined the effects of similarity in personality and values on relationship satisfaction among 189 Chinese young dating couples in Hong Kong, with an attempt to integrate the two constructs. Results showed that alpha personality traits (i.e., Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism) and Self-transcendence values had significant actor effects on relationship satisfaction of both genders. The partner effects of Conscientiousness and Agreeableness were also significant for both genders. Similarity effects of Conscientiousness and Self-transcendence values were significant in predicting relationship satisfaction among females only. In contrast, the beta personality (i.e., Extraversion and Openness to experience) and the other three values (i.e., Conservation, Openness to change, and Self-enhancement) did not show consistent effects across genders or any significant similarity effect in either gender. Collectively, this study highlights the importance of alpha personality traits and Self-transcendence values for relationship satisfaction among dating couples.