Actor and partner effects of self-esteem on relationship satisfaction and the mediating role of secure attachment between the partners

We examined actor and partner effects of self-esteem on relationship satisfaction, using the actor-partner interdependence model and data from five independent samples of couples. The results indicated that self-esteem predicted the individual’s own relationship satisfaction (i.e., an actor effect) and the relationship satisfaction of his or her partner (i.e., a partner effect), controlling for the effect of the partner’s self-esteem. Gender, age, and length of relationship did not moderate the effect sizes. Moreover, using one of the samples, we tested whether secure attachment to the current partner (assessed as low attachment-related anxiety and avoidance) mediated the effects. The results showed that attachment-related anxiety and avoidance independently mediated both the actor and the partner effect of self-esteem on relationship satisfaction.

► Self-esteem had both actor and partner effects on relationship satisfaction.
► The pattern of results replicated across five independent samples of couples.
► Effects held for men and women, and across age and length of relationship.
► Secure attachment to the current partner mediated both actor and partner effects.
► Self-esteem is linked in a truly dyadic way to satisfaction in close relationships.