| The goal of this study was clarify the mechanisms by which personality characteristics moderate one another in their impact on marital satisfaction. A history on marital and family research emphasizing predictors of marital outcomes and theoretical models describing pathways of influence was presented. Based on this history, analyses were conducted to validate and expand upon extant findings regarding the five-factor personality model as a predictor of marital satisfaction. Specifically, self and spouse personality traits were proposed to qualify or moderate the negative effects of neuroticism on marriage. In addition, direct effects of the five factors were analyzed for their individual and collective role in predicting concurrent and prospective marital satisfaction.; The sample was part of the Adult Development Study (Grant #R01-AA0992201A1), consisting of 634 couples applying for their marital license. Data were collected by way of self-report questionnaire packets sent to each couple prior to their marriage, and two-weeks before their anniversary over the next two years. Variables were measured with the BFI (Big Five Inventory), a personality instrument on the five-factor model of traits (John, Donahue, & Kentle, 1991), and the MAT (Marital Adjustment Test) (Locke & Wallace, 1959).; Results failed to support hypotheses that the impact of neuroticism on marital satisfaction would be moderated by spouse- or self-personality. However, personality traits were found to predict concurrent marital satisfaction, accounting for 20% and 17% of wife and husband variance, respectively. Findings also replicated previous studies (e.g., Karney & Bradbury, 1997) in that personality failed to predict change in marital satisfaction over time. Contrary to previous studies in this literature, agreeableness was found to account for more variance than neuroticism and the other trait factors. Analyses of the five factors also suggested moderate domain redundancy, a finding further supported by principle components analysis.; The lack of support for moderation was discussed in regard to potential limitations of this study, particularly the lack of evidence that spouses exhibited behaviors or cognitions associated with personality traits. Finally, recommendations for future research were proposed including explicating how cognitive, behavioral, and enduring personality traits interact with each other in the prediction of marital satisfaction. |
