Do couples need similar personalities to have a successful marriage?
Last reviewed:
Direct answer
Not necessarily. Large couple studies find little evidence that similarity across broad personality traits independently predicts relationship satisfaction once each partner’s own traits are considered. Qualities such as lower negative emotionality, conscientiousness and agreeableness tend to matter more than two people receiving similar personality scores. This does not mean every personality combination works equally well. Daily behavior, emotional regulation, reliability and the ability to understand differences are more useful evidence than a matching test claiming that similar personalities guarantee marital success.
Little evidencethat broad personality similarity itself predicts satisfaction
Sources used
Trait and facet personality similarity and relationship satisfaction in romantic couples
Journal of Research in Personality, PubMed Central
Dyadic research finding little evidence that personality similarity itself explains relationship satisfaction.View source