Personality perceptions and relationship satisfaction in couples

• Personality perceptions and relationship satisfaction in couples were examined.
• Substantial actor and partner effects of partner-rated personality were found.
• Perceived similarity was associated with relationship satisfaction.
• Results emphasize the importance of integrating partner-reports of personality.

The present study investigates how perceptions of personality are related to relationship satisfaction in an age-heterogeneous sample of romantic couples. Self- and partner-perceptions as well as perceived similarity and self-other agreement were examined separately for the Big Five personality traits. Results of Actor–Partner-Interdependence Models revealed substantial effects of partner-perceived personality in all Big Five traits on both partners’ relationship satisfaction. In contrast, effects of self-perceived personality on relationship satisfaction were small. Over and above self- and partner-rated personality, perceiving one’s partner as similar to oneself made a small unique contribution to relationship satisfaction in couples. These results emphasize the importance of integrating self- and partner-perceptions of personality for relationships outcomes.