Numerous studies have assessed dating and marital satisfaction (e.g., Karney & Bradbury, 1995); however, most assessed only one member of the couple (Attridge, Berscheid, & Simpson, 1995). Previous research demonstrated that there are many variables correlated with relationship satisfaction, such as positive perceptions of one’s partner, whether real or illusionary (Davis & Oathout, 1987; Murray et al., 1996a), self-disclosure (Millar & Millar, 1988), and empathy (Davis & Oathout, 1987). Positive, clear, and confidently held mental representations about one’s partner have also been associated with having satisfying relationships (Gurung, Sarason, & Sarason, 2001). Overall, feminine characteristics have been correlated with relationship satisfaction more frequently than masculine (e.g. Langis et al., 1994). Furthermore, some research has demonstrated that when both partners were high in femininity, the couple was happier than couples where only one or neither individual was high in femininity (Antill, 1983).
The present design represents an improvement over many of the past studies as both members of a dating couple were assessed. Factors assessed for their association with relationship satisfaction included feminine and masculine characteristics, hypergender beliefs, communal and exchange beliefs, empathy, perspective-taking, self-disclosure, positive and negative partner concepts, partner worth, and clarity of partner perceptions. Additionally, both members of the couple rated their perceptions of themselves as well as their perceptions of their partners on the characteristics of femininity, masculinity, self-disclosure, empathy, and perspective-taking.
Results indicated that perceptions of self and partner as high in femininity were correlated with higher ratings of relationship satisfaction for both men and women. Perceiving self as high in femininity and holding clear, positive perceptions about their partners were predictive of men’s dating satisfaction. For women, relationship satisfaction was predicted by holding clear perceptions of their partners and by perceiving their partners as high in perspective-taking. Further analyses assessing the congruency between perceptions of one’s partner and the partner’s self-perceptions revealed that women’s perceptions of their partners were consistent with their partners’ self-perceptions. However, men tended to underestimate their partners’ femininity, empathy, and self-disclosure. Subsequent regression analyses revealed that men were most satisfied in their relationships when they overestimated their partners’ empathy and femininity.