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The Impact of Recognizing a Romantic Partner’s Character Strengths on Relationship Satisfaction

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  • Sonja Habenicht

    (University of New England)

  • Nicola S. Schutte

    (University of New England)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonja Habenicht & Nicola S. Schutte, 2023. "The Impact of Recognizing a Romantic Partner’s Character Strengths on Relationship Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1219-1231, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00641-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00641-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maayan Boiman-Meshita & Hadassah Littman-Ovadia, 2022. "Is it me or you? An Actor-partner Examination of the Relationship between Partners’ Character Strengths and Marital Quality," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 195-210, January.
    2. Lisa Wagner & Fabian Gander & René T. Proyer & Willibald Ruch, 2020. "Character Strengths and PERMA: Investigating the Relationships of Character Strengths with a Multidimensional Framework of Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 307-328, April.
    3. Fabian Gander & René Proyer & Willibald Ruch & Tobias Wyss, 2013. "Strength-Based Positive Interventions: Further Evidence for Their Potential in Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depression," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1241-1259, August.
    4. Denise Quinlan & Dianne A. Vella-Brodrick & Andrew Gray & Nicola Swain, 2019. "Teachers Matter: Student Outcomes Following a Strengths Intervention are Mediated by Teacher Strengths Spotting," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(8), pages 2507-2523, December.
    5. Nicola S. Schutte & John M. Malouff, 2019. "The Impact of Signature Character Strengths Interventions: A Meta-analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1179-1196, April.
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