Description
Studies have shown that relationships high in positivity and negativity (i.e., ambivalence) predict psychological distress and increased health risks. Studies have also shown that interpersonal complementarity predicts relationship satisfaction and cohesion. The goal of the study was to evaluate whether interpersonal complementarity on the dimensions of dominance and warmth predicted relationship quality in new relationships, and if the two predicted adjustment (e.g., greater life satisfaction, decreased depressive symptoms). One hundred participants (50 new roommate pairs) completed measures of relationship quality, interpersonal warmth and dominance, and the adjustment outcomes: relationship satisfaction (including cohesion and conflict), depression, satisfaction with life, self-esteem, and self-reported health. Results indicated that relationship quality was predicted by complementarity on the dimension of dominance, but not warmth. Interpersonal complementarity and relationship quality predicted overall relationship satisfaction, cohesion, conflict and the self-reported health sub-score on pain. Participants also completed state measures of anxiety and interpersonal warmth and dominance throughout various discussion tasks (i.e., neutral, positive, negative), which were tested as possible mediators of the relationships between relationship quality and interpersonal complementarity on adjustment outcomes. The results of this study support previous findings that interpersonal complementarity predicts outcomes such as relationship cohesion. Limitations (e.g., the use of self-reports) and future directions (e.g., behavioral analyses), are discussed in relation to interpersonal complementarity and relationship quality in the context of new relationships.
