ArticlePublisher preview available

Personality Strengths in Romantic relationships: Measuring Perceptions of Benefits and Costs and Their Impact on Personal and Relational Well-Being

Authors:
To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors.

Abstract

Three studies using samples of people in romantic relationships were conducted to create a new individual difference measure of partner strengths in couples. The 2 perceptions of partner strengths included (1) appreciation of their use and effectiveness and (2) recognition of costs associated with their use. Factor analyses supported 2-factors and we found that greater appreciation of partner strengths predicted greater relationship satisfaction, commitment, investment, intimacy, self-expansion, and support for goal pursuit; recognizing significant costs with partner strengths was inversely related to several outcomes. Using a 1-week daily diary, we found that appreciation of partner strength use and recognition of costs associated with these strengths predicted daily relationship satisfaction and whether basic psychological needs were met within the relationship. The explanatory power of partner strength perceptions could not be explained by the actual character strengths or Big Five personality traits of partners, support for positive self-disclosures (capitalization), or gratitude for relationship partners. Finally, we found that the relational consequences of partner strength perceptions were not just "in the head" of the perceiver-influencing partner relational outcomes. This research program provides evidence for the use of a new measure of how strengths are perceived to better understand romantic couples and aspirational targets in clinical interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record
Personality Strengths in Romantic relationships: Measuring Perceptions of
Benefits and Costs and Their Impact on Personal
and Relational Well-Being
Todd B. Kashdan, Dan V. Blalock, Kevin C. Young, Kyla A. Machell, Samuel S. Monfort,
Patrick E. McKnight, and Patty Ferssizidis
George Mason University
Three studies using samples of people in romantic relationships were conducted to create a new
individual difference measure of partner strengths in couples. The 2 perceptions of partner strengths
included (1) appreciation of their use and effectiveness and (2) recognition of costs associated with their
use. Factor analyses supported 2-factors and we found that greater appreciation of partner strengths
predicted greater relationship satisfaction, commitment, investment, intimacy, self-expansion, and sup-
port for goal pursuit; recognizing significant costs with partner strengths was inversely related to several
outcomes. Using a 1-week daily diary, we found that appreciation of partner strength use and recognition
of costs associated with these strengths predicted daily relationship satisfaction and whether basic
psychological needs were met within the relationship. The explanatory power of partner strength
perceptions could not be explained by the actual character strengths or Big Five personality traits of
partners, support for positive self-disclosures (capitalization), or gratitude for relationship partners.
Finally, we found that the relational consequences of partner strength perceptions were not just “in the
head” of the perceiver—influencing partner relational outcomes. This research program provides evi-
dence for the use of a new measure of how strengths are perceived to better understand romantic couples
and aspirational targets in clinical interventions.
Public Significance Statement
This research program suggests that the beliefs we hold about the personality strengths of our
romantic partners influence our well-being and their well-being. This is the first study to show an
appreciative mindset about another person’s strengths has a positive influence on the relationship and
the belief that their strengths have a downside has an adverse influence.
Keywords: interpersonal relationships, character strengths, gratitude, capitalization support, psycholog-
ical needs
Over the past decade, prominent models have emerged high-
lighting the importance of personality strengths in understanding
and improving psychological and social well-being (King & Trent,
2012;Linley, 2008;Peterson & Seligman, 2004). Scholars agree
that strengths serve as assets that promote adjustment and adapta-
tion (Noftle, Schnitker, & Robins, 2011). Strengths are trait-like
features of personality in that “they exist in degrees and can be
measured as individual differences (Park, Peterson, & Seligman,
2004, p. 603).
Prior strengths research has been limited to the effects of en-
dorsing strengths in oneself. In the current research, we advance
the study of personality strengths by exploring perceptions about
another person’s strengths. Theorists argue that there is an adaptive
value in recognizing and appreciating the strengths of one’s part-
ner, effects that influence the quality of the relationship to the
perceiver and the object of those perceptions (Murray, Holmes, &
Collins, 2006). For example, a partner who is extremely fair,
ensuring that everyone is treated equally at a family gathering,
might be viewed as an ideal future parent, increasing the perceiv-
er’s optimism about the future of the relationship. Similarly, it may
be maladaptive to recognize a large number of costs associated
with the personality strengths possessed and used by one’s roman-
tic partner. For example, a partner who is extremely curious may
go off on their own when traveling, talking to local merchants and
following small animals on day hikes, which may make her inac-
cessible in the relationship at times.
Because it is an empirical question, rather than fact, that per-
sonality strengths lead to unmitigated positive consequences, it is
surprising how infrequently researchers explore the potential costs
This article was published Online First April 6, 2017.
Todd B. Kashdan, Dan V. Blalock, Kevin C. Young, Kyla A. Machell,
Samuel S. Monfort, Patrick E. McKnight, and Patty Ferssizidis, Depart-
ment of Psychology, George Mason University.
Preparation of this article was supported by funding to the Todd B.
Kashdan from the Values in Action Institute and the Center for the
Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason University.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Todd B.
Kashdan, Department of Psychology, MS 3F5, George Mason University,
Fairfax, VA 22030. E-mail: tkashdan@gmu.edu
This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.
This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.
Psychological Assessment © 2017 American Psychological Association
2018, Vol. 30, No. 2, 241–258 1040-3590/18/$12.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pas0000464
241
... A study of students and community participants investigated how appreciation of partner character strengths is associated with relationship quality (Kashdan et al., 2017). Greater appreciation of partners' strengths was significantly associated with more relationship satisfaction. ...
... Brauer et al. (2022) found that partners in romantic relationships showed similar levels of character strengths; however, the degree of association of partners' strengths was not associated with level of relationship satisfaction. Thus, previous correlational research (Boiman-Meshita & Littman-Ovadia, 2022;Kashdan et al., 2017;Murray et al., 2000) suggests that recognizing character strengths in partners may have beneficial effects on relationship satisfaction. The association may be bi-directional in that those who are more generally satisfied with their relationships may be more likely to recognize a partner's strengths. ...
... They may have similar effects on relationship satisfaction when an intervention focuses on recognizing strengths in a partner. Previous studies suggested that recognizing virtues or strengths in romantic partners is correlated with greater relationship satisfaction (Kashdan et al., 2017;Murray et al., 2000). ...
Article
Full-text available
Previous research indicates that identifying character strengths in oneself is beneficial. The present study investigated whether interventions focused on assisting individuals in recognizing strengths in romantic partners would influence relationship satisfaction. A randomized experimental design was used to assign a total of 243 participants (mean age = 37.3, SD = 12.1) to one of the following three conditions: identification of partner strengths, a curiosity prime followed by identification of partner strengths, and a control condition consisting of reflecting on neutral partner preferences. Participants in each condition rated their current relationship satisfaction and curiosity regarding their partners’ strengths. Participants in the recognition of partner character strengths condition reported significantly more relationship satisfaction compared to participants the control group. There were no other significant differences between groups. The findings suggest that character strength interventions could be used to improve partner relationship quality.
... Although these original articulations of relational wellbeing did not provide explicit indicators, relational wellbeing has been operationalized in empirical research as the perceptions of parent-child relationship quality, family relationship strains (Greenfield & Marks, 2006), and satisfaction in romantic relationships (Frost & Fingerhut, 2016;Holmberg & MacKenzie, 2002;Kashdan et al., 2018;Kennedy & Dalla, 2020). These self-reports of relationship quality indicate how well an individual feels and experiences in their relationships with others. ...
Article
Full-text available
On May 24, 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize marriage between two same-sex adults. While increasing research has been conducted in western countries to document the health and mental health effects of same-sex marriage (SSM) legalization for sexual minorities (i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual [LGB]), less is known about the contribution of this policy reform regarding family and marriage to relational well-being stemming from a reciprocal, authentic, and supportive relationship. Such a focus on relationship-level outcomes is particularly relevant to this study in Taiwan, where a person’s sense of well-being heavily relies on family relationships and social harmony. Fifteen self-identified LGB adults participated in in-depth interviews, once before (April 2019) and once after (May 2020) implementation of the legislation, to describe the immediate changes they experienced or observed over this period. Thematic analysis identified various effects of SSM legalization in fostering their self-acceptance and disclosure, prospect of romantic relationships, openness and closeness with parents, and visibility and public acceptance of LGB people that contributed to their relational well-being as a sexual minority in Taiwanese society. Through the lens of relational well-being, this study adds a novel and culture-specific insight to contemporary discussion about the consequence of marriage equality and provides important evidence for policymakers, researchers, and activists. Same-sex marriage legalization can potentially strengthen relational well-being among sexual minority communities and should be considered by policymakers.
... The research items were preceded by the following introduction that subjects reviewed before participating: We are studying the connection between character strengths and mental well-being and would like to ask 7 additional questions. You can ''Skip'' this if you wish or you can scroll down to ''Continue'' at The character strengths most connected to positive emotions (per self-report and informant report) were zest, hope and humor Engagement Bakker and van Wingerden (2020) Randomized study showing the impact of strengths training to increase work engagement, personal resources and strengths use Positive relationships Kashdan et al. (2017) Recognition and appreciation of character strengths in one's relationship partner predicted greater relationship commitment, satisfaction, intimacy and needs met Meaning Peterson et al. (2007) The character strengths most associated with meaning were spirituality, gratitude, hope, zest and curiosity Achievement Villacís et al. (2021) Character strengths showed positive associations with academic performance among undergraduate students Leisure Wagner et al. (2021) Character strengths profiles were significantly associated with the leisure domain and this was connected with flourishing Physical health Leventhal et al. (2016) Randomized controlled trials of thousands of girls in impoverished areas of India found that programs with character strengths (as opposed to programs without character strengths) gave a greater boost to physical health and other outcomes Social health Wagner (2018) This study found that certain character strengths (honesty, humor, kindness, fairness) were most desirable and important for peers to have in a friend, whereas other character strengths were more connected with higher peer acceptance Spiritual health Niemiec et al. (2020) Explores the evidence for integrating spirituality and character strengths and proposes a theoretical model and practices for the mutual synergy of character strengths and secular spirituality Autonomy Harzer (2016) A comprehensive review found the character strengths most connected with autonomy were honesty, bravery and perspective Environment/nature Merino et al. (2020) Character strengths were strongly connected with nature, especially appreciation of beauty, followed by love of learning and curiosity Mindfulness Pang and Ruch (2019b) The character strengths most connected with total mindfulness and most mindfulness skills were hope, bravery, curiosity, zest and social intelligence Peace Niemiec (2021) Offers theoretical and initial empirical evidence for ways character strengths support levels of peace, especially personal peace, relational peace and the reduction of conflict Healthy self-care Weziak-Bialowolska et al. ...
Article
Full-text available
Purpose This paper aims to examine how character strengths have an important dual role in mental health in both promoting well-being and mental wellness and also in reducing symptoms and suffering. While there are many studies that have touched upon variables that character strengths can enhance for mental well-being or reduce for suffering, the author actually knows very little about how character strengths might relate to or impact mental health. Design/methodology/approach A large-scale study of 12,050 individuals was conducted to explore the self-perceived character strengths that are most helpful for mental health, for handling physical adversity, for handling social adversity and for fostering psychological well-being. Findings Some character strengths showed a general effect – showing a strong perceived impact across multiple domains – such as love, perspective, kindness, hope, humor and curiosity. Other character strengths showed a specific effect in that there was a strong perceived impact in one domain, such as perseverance and self-regulation for physical health, spirituality and social intelligence for social health and creativity for mental health. A strength-based approach to understanding and managing emotions was substantially more preferred than cognitive or behavioral approaches. Other findings examined the character strengths most desired to be improved upon for mental health. Research limitations/implications The research strategy was cross-sectional, thereby causality cannot be determined. Because of the large sample size, researchers are encouraged to consider examining the findings in intervention studies. Practical implications This study indicates that character strengths are highly relevant for mental health, all 24 character strengths are possible pathways to impact mental health (some more than others) and individuals can readily connect ways they can use their character strengths to positively improve their well-being and manage their suffering. Social implications Character strengths and their substantial positive potential provide an avenue for public impact on a large scale. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first known study to directly examine multiple intersections among mental health and character strengths in a large sample.
... Furthermore, individuals that feel appreciated by their partner, tend to be more appreciative and committed in turn (Gordon et al., 2012). More specifically, it was found that appreciating the strengths of the romantic partner predicts relationship satisfaction, commitment, and intimacy (Kashdan et al., 2018). It is not clear whether the latter findings on romantic relationships are directly transferable to friendships. ...
Thesis
Who is willing to be in a close relationship to an individual with high narcissism, and how do individuals with high narcissism perceive their friendships? Three aspects of narcissism were distinguished (agentic, antagonistic, neurotic) to determine their association with four aspects of friendship quality (appreciation, intimacy, conflict, dominance). In the first study, a dyadic perspective was taken to observe whether friendship quality differs depending on the dyadic narcissism level of friends. As hypothesized, individuals in dyads with higher narcissism perceived their friendship quality as lower, compared to individuals in dyads with lower narcissism. More conflicts were perceived across narcissism aspects. Dyads with high antagonistic narcissism also perceived lower appreciation and intimacy. Results were interpreted in favor of the assumption that maladaptive traits are tolerated by those who possess these traits themselves. In the second study, a longitudinal perspective was taken to examine interactional effects of narcissism and friendship quality across 4 measurement occasions. On a within-person level, individuals scoring lower than usual on narcissism were found to subsequently perceive higher appreciation, and those perceiving lower appreciation than usual subsequently increased in antagonistic narcissism. Results suggested that the effects found in relationship formation tend to generalize to relationship maintenance. Overall, this work expanded previous research on narcissism and social relationships by observing relationship quality in long-term friendships including a dyadic as well as a longitudinal perspective. To answer the question of who is willing to be friends with someone high in narcissism, results suggest that it would be individuals who also score high on narcissism. In regard to the question of how individuals with high narcissism perceive their friendships it was found that they tend to be willing to accept lower friendship quality.
Article
Full-text available
Character strengths have been found to consistently predict many positive psychological outcomes, such as well-being, life satisfaction, and mental health, but research on the topic is still at its infancy and some methodological limitations must be overcome to better understand what character strengths are and what is their role. One main issue concerns the structure of character strengths and virtues, which may undermine the credibility and replicability of previous findings. Using two different samples (with 13,439 and 944 participants), we confirm that character strengths can be well described by a bifactor model reflecting the simultaneous existence of a general factor of ‘good character’ and the 24 specific character strengths. We found that the general factor consistently predicts participants’ life satisfaction, mental health, and distress symptoms. In addition, we show that the specific character strengths (with the few exceptions represented by gratitude, hope, and zest) do not predict life satisfaction and mental health above and beyond the general factor. These results highlight the need to better understand what this general factor really represents to finally capture the mechanisms linking character strengths between each other and with external outcomes. Implications for the measurement and interpretation of character strengths and for strength-based interventions are discussed.
Chapter
This chapter focuses on what is known about the science of character strengths for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and outlines a myriad of practices emerging in the field, stemming from the science. Seven core insights integrating character strengths and IDD help to foster an optimal strengths-based mindset. These involve character strengths as a language of inclusiveness, a focus on ability, an equalizer, a balancer of extremes, a growth mindset approach, a path for managing adversity, and facilitating belonging. There is an emerging science using character strengths for IDD, which includes a range of assessment approaches, examination of the character strengths of staff, the character strengths of the individuals themselves, and outcomes. This leads to practical strategies involving creative adaptations to assessing character strengths, interventions, strengths-spotting, and individualized planning involving character strengths-infused IEPs and ISPs (individualized strengths plans). These scientific and practical advancements in character strengths are part of a movement in the disability field we refer to as Strengths-Based: Phase 2 (where Strengths-Based: Phase 1 refers to focusing on individuals' interests, resources, skills, and abilities). These character strengths areas of Phase 2 are discussed along with multiple examples.KeywordsCharacter strengthsIntellectual/developmental disabilityAutismGrowth mindsetInclusionBelongingCharacter strengths interventionsStrengths-spottingIndividualized education plan (IEP)Individualized strengths plan (ISP)
Chapter
This chapter offers a foundational primer on the core concepts and central scientific findings and practices with character strengths. A brief overview of the 24 character strengths and their formulations into the VIA Classification, including the core strengths criteria, are discussed. This leads to a scientific, multi-layered definition for character strengths and five character strengths principles relating to dimensionality, plurality, situational expression, positive outcomes, and development/malleability. A sampling of character strengths studies across nine domains of life functioning (e.g., work, leisure), eight areas of well-being (e.g., inner peace, autonomy), and eight areas of adversity (e.g., grief, chronic pain) are highlighted. The practice of character strengths emphasized here involves unifying frameworks, central interventions, and practical formulations. The science and practice in this chapter lays the groundwork for the remainder of the book that integrates character strengths across people with a wide range of disabilities and abilities.KeywordsCharacter strengthsVIA classificationVIA inventory of strengthsPositive identityPositive personalityCharacter strengths interventionsStrengths appreciationStrengths alignmentStrengths-spottingThe SEA model
Preprint
Full-text available
Character strengths have been found to consistently predict many positive psychological outcomes, such as well-being, life satisfaction, and mental health, but research on the topic is still at its infancy and some methodological limitations must be overcome to better understand what character strengths are and what is their role. Two main issues concern the structure of character strengths and the widespread use of sum scores, which may undermine the credibility and replicability of previous findings. Using two different samples (with 14364 and 944 participants), we confirm that character strengths can be well described by a bifactor model reflecting the simultaneous existence of a general factor of ‘good character’ and the 24 specific character strengths. In addition, we newly show that the specific character strengths (with a few exceptions) have no predictive power when a general factor is included in the analysis. In fact, only the general factor consistently related to participants’ life satisfaction, mental health, and distress symptoms. These results highlight the need to better understand what this general factor really represents to finally capture the mechanisms linking character strengths between each other and with external outcomes. Implications for the measurement and interpretation of character strengths and for strength-based interventions are discussed.
Article
Full-text available
Bu araştırmada üniversite öğrencilerinde romantik ilişkilerde akılcı olmayan inançlar ile büyüklenmeci ve kırılgan narsisizm ve bilişsel esneklik arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma grubu Türkiye’de farklı üniversitelerde öğrenim gören 306’sı (%73,4) kadın, 111’i (%26,6) erkek olmak üzere 417 üniversite öğrencisinden oluşmaktadır. Veriler, Demografik Bilgi Formu, Romantik İlişkilerde Akılcı Olmayan İnançlar Ölçeği, Patolojik Narsisizm Envanteri ve Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkileri belirlemek için Pearson Korelasyon Analizi ve Hiyerarşik Regresyon Analizi, değişkenlerin ortalamalarındaki farklılaşmaları belirlemek için t -Test ve Tek-Yönlü ANOVA analizleri uygulanmıştır. Demografik değişkenlerle yapılan analizlere göre, daha önceden hiç ilişki yaşamamış kişilerin, daha önceden ilişki yaşayan kişilere kıyasla romantik ilişkilerde akılcı olmayan inançlara daha fazla sahip oldukları belirlenmiştir. Yapılan korelasyon analizi sonucunda, büyüklenmeci narsisizm ve bilişsel esneklik ile romantik ilişkilerde akılcı olmayan inançlar arasında negatif yönde, kırılgan narsisizm ile romantik ilişkilerde akılcı olmayan inançlar arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı ilişkiler olduğu saptanmıştır. Regresyon analizi sonuçlarında, bilişsel esneklik ve büyüklenmeci ve kırılgan narsisizmin romantik ilişkilerde akılcı olmayan inançları anlamlı düzeyde yordadıkları bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonuçları çerçevesinde, kişilik özelliklerinin ve bilişsel mekanizmaların bireyin romantik ilişkilerinde akılcı olmayan inançlarını etkileyen yapılar oldukları belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar ilgili alanyazın ışığı altında tartışılmış ve öneriler sunulmuştur.
Article
The present study explores the reason for conflict that Indian middle-class married couples face and the ways they manage those conflicts. For the purpose, 30 long-term married couples (M age = 44.70 years; M marriage years = 19.48) were interviewed. Thematic analysis was carried out using Quirkos software. The reliability of the codes was checked by two independent raters and ICR was found to be 0.902. The analysis shows that disputes related to daily problems, finances, children, and in-laws, are more common in Indian middle-class couples. Unlike Western studies, Indian middle-class couples are not very vocal about problems related to intimacy and personal needs. Moreover, results show that the conflict management style of Indian middle-class couples is more relationship and partner-centric, that is, it is focused on benefiting their marital stability overall. We found three different but interdependent conflict management approaches—problem-solving, prioritizing partner, and harmonizing relationship. The results of the study show that some conflicts, as well as conflict management strategies, are more specific to Indian married couples, which probably gives longevity to Indian marriages. The findings can also help to guide and encourage couples facing problems in their marriage, especially young couples to choose an effective approach to solve a conflict.
Article
Full-text available
The influence of social relationships on human development and behavior is receiving increased attention from psychologists, who are central contributors to the rapidly developing multidisciplinary field of relationship science. In this article, the authors selectively review some of the significant strides that have been made toward understanding the effects of relationships on development and behavior and the processes by which relationships exert their influence on these, with the purpose of highlighting important questions that remain to be answered, controversial issues that need to be resolved, and potentially profitable paths for future inquiry. The authors' thesis is that important advances in psychological knowledge will be achieved from concerted investigation of the relationship context in which most important human behaviors are developed and displayed.
Article
Full-text available
In four studies, the authors examined the correlates of the disposition toward gratitude. Study 1 revealed that self-ratings and observer ratings of the grateful disposition are associated with positive affect and well-being prosocial behaviors and traits, and religiousness/spirituality. Study 2 replicated these findings in a large nonstudent sample. Study 3 yielded similar results to Studies 1 and 2 and provided evidence that gratitude is negatively associated with envy and materialistic attitudes. Study 4 yielded evidence that these associations persist after controlling for Extraversion/positive affectivity, Neuroticism/negative affectivity, and Agreeableness. The development of the Gratitude Questionnaire, a unidimensional measure with good psychometric properties, is also described.
Article
Full-text available
Recent research has identified three virtues from the 24 strengths in the VIA Classification of Strengths and Virtues, labeled caring, inquisitiveness, and self-control. This article explored this model further. Study 1 demonstrated substantial congruence in three-factor loadings across 12 samples (total N = 1,082,230) despite substantial differences in methodology. Study 2 (N = 1719) provided support for the use of aggregate scores for the three virtues. Study 3 (N = 498) demonstrated substantial overlap between measures of personality and the virtues. We conclude these three are potentially essential components of a theory of virtue. They cannot be considered a sufficient model, which may be unattainable. We also note that treating virtue as an individual difference concept neglects key elements of our understanding of virtue as a social construct, and these more amorphous elements must be considered in developing an optimal model of virtue.
Article
Full-text available
In addition to widely used endorsement methods, one way to get at people's thoughts is to have them verbalize while engaged in a task or situation. The articulated thoughts in simulated situations (ATSS) paradigm is a think-aloud approach to cognitive assessment that has several advantages: an unstructured production response format, on-line rather than retrospective assessment, situational specificity and control, and flexibility of situation and cognitions. The authors review experiments that have examined articulated thoughts in clinically relevant contexts. ATSS does have certain limitations and further research into its psychometric properties is needed, but it seems promising as a versatile and adaptable method of cognitive assessment, especially when little is known of the cognitive terrain of interest.