Qualities of Character That Predict Marital Well‐Being

• Author: H. Wallace Goddard,James P. Marshall,Adam M. Galovan,David G. Schramm,Jonathan R. Olson
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12195
• Published date: 01 July 2016
• Date: 01 July 2016

H. W G University of Arkansas

J R. O Bastyr University

A M. G University of Alberta

D G. S Utah State University

J P. M LDS Family Services

Qualities of Character That Predict Marital

Well-Being

A growing body of literature has examinedrela-

tions among qualities of character—or mari-

tal virtues—and marital outcomes. Results of

past research have suggested positive relations

between qualities such as generosity, kindness,

and forgiveness, and marital well-being. We

expand on previous research by examining rela-

tions between three qualities of character and

marital satisfaction with 1,513 respondents ran-

domly selected from three states. Specically,

we examined the effects of participants’ percep-

tions of their partners’ humility, compassion,

and positivity on their own marital satisfaction.

Results indicated statistically signicant, posi-

tive associations between each of these qual-

ities and marital satisfaction, although results

vary by gender. Furthermore, a statistically sig-

nicant interaction effect suggested that spousal

humility may be a protective factor against mar-

ital stress among women. Implications for prac-

tice and program development are discussed.

School of Natural Health Arts and Sciences, Bastyr Uni-

versity, 14500 Juanita Drive NE, Kenmore, WA 98028

(jolson@bastyr.edu).

Key Words: Character strengths, marital satisfaction, mari-

tal virtues, qualities of character.

A variety of biases inuence human percep-

tion and processing (Haidt, 2006). For example,

egocentrism, fundamental attribution bias, naive

realism, conrmation bias, and unreliable mem-

ories (Ross & Sicoly, 1979; Tavris & Aronson,

2007) distort our views of people and situations

and can prevent us from seeing other people and

situations clearly. Furthermore, such distortions

regularly create challenges in couple relation-

ships. Despite this, many couple relationships

thrive. Some have argued that individuals’ fun-

damental character strengths and virtues lead to

more positive relationships by reducing negative

biases (Fowers, 2001, 2008).

Recent theoretical articles by Fife (2015)

and Knapp (2015) support the idea that couple

and family functioning may be affected by

individuals’ character or way of being. Draw-

ing on Martin Buber’s philosophical work,

Fife notes a general tendency of individuals to

perceive others in either an “I-It” or “I-Thou”

fashion—seeing and responding to others either

as people or as objects. Similarly, Knapp draws

on Emmanuel Levinas’s philosophical writings

to argue that quality relationships are based on

one’s ability to see the “Other” as a holistic

person. Marion (2002) extends Levinas’s work

by arguing that once we perceive the “Other,”

relationships function through the need to love

424 Family Relations 65 (July 2016): 424–438

DOI:10.1111/fare.12195