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Assortative mating in young adult romantic relationships
Liggett, Danielle A.
2011, BA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychology.
Research on mate selection has often shown that individuals choose romantic partners based on similarity in characteristics, behaviors and traits. The current research in the field of romantic attraction has primarily focused on married, adult populations to determine how individuals select a romantic partner. In this study, a young adult sample in dating relationships was examined to determine whether assortative mating exists for this population, as it seems to in married couples. The sample included 82 Kent State University students and their romantic partners recruited through the Psychology Subject Pool (N=164). Female participants’ average age was 19.87 years (SD= 1.39) and male participants’ average age was 20.59 years (SD= 1.64). The average length of time participants were in their current romantic relationship was 1.59 years (SD= 1.60). The Mini IPIP was used to determine personality similarity and the Adult Self Report measure was used to determine similarity in problem behavior and substance use. Partners were not similar in personality, but were similar in problem behavior and substance use. Partner dissimilarity in substance use was related to length of relationship. Interestingly, partner dissimilarity in agreeableness was associated with a longer relationship. Partner dissimilarity had no effect on relationship dissolution.
Manfred van Dulmen, PhD (Advisor)
William Kalkhoff, PhD (Committee Member)
Susan Roxburgh, PhD (Committee Member)
Robin Joynes, PhD (Committee Member)
48 p.

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Liggett, D. (2011). Assortative mating in young adult romantic relationships. (Electronic Thesis or Dissertation). Retrieved from https://etd.ohiolink.edu/

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Liggett, Danielle. "Assortative mating in young adult romantic relationships." Electronic Thesis or Dissertation. Kent State University, 2011. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. 29 Sep 2016.

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Liggett, Danielle "Assortative mating in young adult romantic relationships." Electronic Thesis or Dissertation. Kent State University, 2011. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/

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