The purpose of this study was to examine more fully the relationship between masculinity, femininity and satisfaction among dating couples. A multivariate causal model was developed and tested to assess Ickes' (1985) conceptual model of gender-role influences on relationship satisfaction. Dating couples ( N = 174) completed the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire and the Relationship Satisfaction Scale. Results indicated that for both males and females, relationship satisfaction was related to their own expressive competence and to perceptions of their partner as feminine. Also, levels of expressive competence mediated the relationship between self-perceptions of femininity and satisfaction. For females, perceptions of partners' femininity were predicted by males' and females' self-perceived femininity. For males, perceptions of partners' femininity were predicted by females' self-perceived femininity and males' self-perceived masculinity. Discussion focuses on the implications of these findings not only for the specific model of gender-role influences in dyadic interactions, but also for more `broadly conceived theories of relationship development.
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of recent relational trends in Poland. Based on the clinical, theoretical, and empirical literature, the overview addresses both attitudinal (e.g., focus on individual need fulfillment and gender equality) and behavioral (e.g., timing of first intercourse and living arrangements) factors. The literature review is divided into four categories: (a) leaving home; (b) intimate relationships; (c) love, sexuality, and fertility; and (d) economics, work, and gender. Although some contrasts to prior generations are noted, the overview focuses primarily on relational trends among the current generation of Polish young adults.
Students at a southwestern university were surveyed to test the interrelations of three constructs: sexual-moral attitudes, love styles, and attraction criteria. Following the procedures of the National Health and Social Life Survey, from which the sexual-moral attitude items were obtained, we conducted a cluster analysis to create attitudinal groupings. We obtained four clusters representing various nuances of liberalism and conservatism. When compared on love styles, the clusters differed primarily on ludus and pragma. Not only did some of the liberal clusters differ from some of the conservative ones on love styles, but there were also some differences within liberalism and within conservatism. Cluster differences also emerged on the attraction criteria.
This study focuses on beliefs about intimate relationships, and how these beliefs are related to individuals' experiences in ongoing romantic relationships. More specifically, we examined how unrealistic beliefs contributed to commitment and components of the investment model (rewards, costs, match to ideal comparison level, alternatives, investment size, barriers). Two types of beliefs were examined: unrealistic gendered beliefs focused on assumptions about irreconcilable differences in men and women's relational needs, whereas unrealistic relationship-specific beliefs reflected standards about perfection and mindreading in interactions with one's romantic partner. Females' unrealistic gendered beliefs and relationship-specific beliefs were associated with more alternatives, lower match to ideal comparison levels, and lower commitment. Regression analyses indicated that components of the investment model mediated the relationship between (i) commitment and gendered relationship beliefs and (ii) commitment and relationship-specific beliefs for females. Males' gendered beliefs were not related to commitment or any component of the investment model; relationship-specific beliefs were associated with greater costs and greater alternatives. No mediating effects in the relationship between commitment and relationship-specific beliefs were detected for males. The results are discussed in the context of previous research and gender socialization.
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