Personality–relationship transaction in young adulthood.

Abstract

Personality and social relationships were assessed twice across a 4-year period in a general population sample of 489 German young adults. Two kinds of personality-relationship transaction were observed. First, mean-level change in personality toward maturity (e.g., increase in Conscientiousness and decrease in Neuroticism) was moderated by the transition to partnership but was independent of other developmental transitions. Second, individual differences in personality traits predicted social relationships much better than vice versa. Specifically, once initial correlations were controlled for, Extraversion, Shyness, Neuroticism, self-esteem, and Agreeableness predicted change in various qualities of relationships (especially with friends and colleagues), whereas only quality of relationships with preschool children predicted later Extraversion and Neuroticism. Consequences for the transactional view of personality in young adulthood are discussed.

Transitions in romantic relationships and development of self-esteem.

“…The theory proposes that self-esteem reflects a person's relational value, as subjectively perceived by the individual, and that the self-esteem system evolved as a part of the human mind because it helps the individual to monitor whether the need for social inclusion is satisfied or threatened. The empirical evidence from observational and experimental studies is in line with sociometer theory (for a review, see Leary, 2003), documenting the strong association between self-esteem and social relationships, including romantic relationships (e.g., Denissen, Penke, Schmitt, & van Aken, 2008;Leary, Haupt, Strausser, & Chokel, 1998;Murray, Griffin, Rose, & Bellavia, 2003;Neyer & Asendorpf, 2001;Neyer & Lehnart, 2007).…”

“…Although previous research on the selection effect of self-esteem on beginning a relationship did not report significant findings (Neyer & Asendorpf, 2001;Neyer & Lehnart, 2007;Wagner, Becker, et al, 2015), these studies did neither distinguish between shorter versus longer relationships nor between high-quality versus low-quality relationships. Thus, the present research suggests that self-esteem makes a difference with regard to finding a romantic relationship partner.…”

“…Regarding relationship break-up, Neyer and Asendorpf (2001) did not find any socialization effects, whereas Lehnart and Neyer (2006) found that individuals experiencing break-up decreased less strongly in neuroticism and became less agreeable compared to individuals who stayed in their relationship. Regarding marrying, a study by Specht et al (2011) suggested socialization effects on the Big Five: Individuals who got married decreased in extraversion, agreeableness, and openness.…”

“…More precisely, Neyer and Asendorpf (2001) examined socialization effects of marrying and relationship break-up, but did not find significant effects. Except for Neyer and Asendorpf (2001), no previous study tested for socialization effects of relationship transitions such as marrying and breaking-up on self-esteem.…”

“…Regarding the beginning of the first romantic relationship, there is evidence that this transition leads to an increase in extraversion and conscientiousness and to a decrease in neuroticism (Lehnart et al, 2010;Neyer & Asendorpf, 2001;Neyer & Lehnart, 2007;Wagner, Becker, et al, 2015). However, in the study by Wagner, Becker, et al (2015), socialization effects on personality occurred only for individuals who experienced this transition between age 23 and 25 years, whereas no socialization effects were found for individuals between age 21 and 23 years.…”