Integrative self-knowledge and marital satisfaction

J Psychol. 2015 Jan-Apr;149(1-2):1-18. doi: 10.1080/00223980.2013.827614. Epub 2014 Feb 18.

Abstract

Married Iranian couples (N = 210) responded to the Integrative Self-Knowledge Scale along with a measure of marital satisfaction, the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) Big Five, and an index of interpersonal problems. Integrative self-knowledge correlated positively with marital satisfaction, positively with all but the extraversion Big Five traits, and negatively with three indices of interpersonal problems. Integrative self-knowledge also mediated a number of personality relationships with marital satisfaction. Spouse-ratings of personality confirmed the adaptive implications of integrative self-knowledge for marriage. Linkages with questionnaire response styles supported the description of integrative self-knowledge as a measure of both self-insight and self-development. Results confirmed the potential of integrative self-knowledge for studying self-regulatory processes and suggested that the enhancement of self-knowledge may be a useful goal in efforts to strengthen marriages.

Keywords: big five; integrative self-knowledge; interpersonal problems; marital satisfaction; spouse-rated personality.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Marriage / psychology
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Personality / physiology*
  • Self Concept*
  • Spouses / psychology*