This study aimed to better understand couples’ satisfaction. We hypothesized that similar levels on the two dimensions of fear of intimacy (fear of losing the self [FLS] and fear of losing the other [FLO]) would buffer the negative association between fear of intimacy and relationship satisfaction. Findings revealed a positive influence in relationship satisfaction from partner similarity in FLS. No effects were found from partner similarity in FLO. Relationship satisfaction decreased when one partner’s higher fear of losing the self was combined with lower fear of losing the other from the other partner. Repercussions for couple therapy are discussed.
AikenL. S.WestS. G. (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
2.
AlperinR. M. (2006). Impediments to intimacy. Clinical Social Work Journal, 34, 559–572.
3.
ArsethA. K.KrogerJ.MartinussenM.BakkenG. (2009). Intimacy status, attachment, separation-individuation patterns, and identity status in female university students. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 26, 697–712.
4.
BartholomewK. (1990). Avoidance of intimacy: An attachment perspective. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 7, 147–178.
5.
BaumeisterR. F. (1982). A self-presentational view of social phenomena. Psychological Bulletin, 91, 3–26.
6.
BeyersW.Seiffge-KrenkeI. (2010). Does identity precede intimacy? Testing Erikson’s theory on romantic development in emerging adults of the 21st century. Journal of Adolescent Research, 25, 387–415.
7.
BrunellA. B.PilkingtonC. J.WebsterG. D. (2007). Perceptions of risk in intimacy in dating couples: Conversation and relationship quality. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 26, 92–119.
8.
CashT. F.ThériaultJ.AnnisN. M. (2004). Body image in an interpersonal context: Adult attachment, fear of intimacy, and social anxiety. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23, 89–103.
9.
CollinsN. L.ReadS. J. (1990). Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 24, 349–354.
10.
DescutnerC. S.ThelenM. H. (1991). Development and validation of a fear-of-intimacy scale. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 3, 218–225.
11.
DoiS. C.ThelenM. H. (1993). The fear of intimacy scale: Replication and extension. Psychological Assessment, 5, 377–383.
12.
EmmonsR. A.ColbyP. M. (1995). Emotional conflict and well-being: Relation to perceived availability, daily utilization, and observer reports of social support. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 947–959.
13.
FletcherG.SimpsonJ. A.ThomasG. (2000). The measurement of perceived relationship quality components: A confirmatory factor analytic approach. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26, 340–354.
14.
GauntR. (2006). Couple similarity and marital satisfaction: Are similar spouses happier?Journal of Personality, 74, 1401–1420.
15.
HatfieldE. (1984). The dangers of intimacy. In DerlagaV. (Ed.), Communication, intimacy and close relationships (pp. 207–220). New York, NY: Praeger.
16.
HolmesB. M.JohnsonK. R. (2009). Adult attachment and romantic partner preference: A review. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 26, 833–852.
17.
HookM. K.GersteinL. H.DetterichL.GridleyB. (2003). How close are we? Measuring intimacy and examining gender differences. Journal of Counseling & Development, 81, 462–472.
18.
MarkeyP. M.MarkeyC. N. (2007). Romantic ideals, romantic obtainment, and relationship experiences: The complementarity of interpersonal traits among romantic partners. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 24, 517–533.
19.
PhillipsT. M.WilmothJ. D.WallS. K.PetersonD. J.BuckleyR.PhillipsL. E. (2013). Recollected parental care and fear of intimacy in emerging adults. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 21, 335–341.
20.
RobinsR. W.CaspiA.MoffittT. E. (2000). Two personalities, one relationship: Both partners’ personality traits shape the quality of their relationship. Personality Processes and Individual Differences, 79, 251–259.
21.
SobralM. P.CostaM. E. (2015). Development of Fear of Intimacy Components Questionnaire (FICQ): Embracing a new dependence component. European Journal of Psychological Assessment. DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000238
22.
SobralM. P.MatosP. M.CostaM. E. (2014, March). The role of attachment to parental and romantic figures on couples’ fear of intimacy. Communication presented at the IFTA 2014 World Family Therapy Congress. Panama City, Panama.
23.
StraussC.MorryM. M.KitoM. (2012). Attachment styles and relationship quality: Actual, perceived, and ideal partner matching. Personal Relationships, 19, 14–36.
24.
SwannW. B.JrReadS. J. (1981). Self-verification processes: How we sustain our self-conceptions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 351–372.
25.
ThelenM. H.Vander WalJ. S.ThomasA. M.HarmonR. (2000). Fear of intimacy among dating couples. Behavior Modification, 24, 233–240.
26.
TranS.SimpsonJ. A. (2012). Attachment, commitment, and relationship maintenance: When partners really matter. In CampbellL.La GuardiaJ. G.OlsonJ. M.ZannaM. P. (Eds.), The science of the couple: The Ontario symposium, ( Vol. 12, pp. 95–117). New York, NY: Psychology Press.
27.
WebsterG.BrunellA.PilkingtonC. (2009). Individual differences in men’s and women’s warmth and disclosure differentially moderate couples’ reciprocity in conversational disclosure. Personality and Individual Differences, 46, 292–297.
