Effects of Mate Value and Mate Value Discrepancy on Perceived Marital Quality: A Dyadic Approach

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of
mate value assessment and mate value discrepancy on
perceived marital quality, using an assessment of personal
and partner mate value obtained by both partners. The
sample included 442 heterosexual couples that have lived
together for at least a year. The Actor-Partner
Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to investigate the
effects of personal and partner mate value assessment on
the evaluation of marital quality. In addition, two interaction
effects were added to the model to examine the effect of
mate value discrepancy on perceived marital quality. The
APIM model showed significant actor and partner effects of
the partner's mate value assessment on the evaluation of
both husbands' and wives' marital quality. The model also
showed a significant effect of personal mate value assessed
by wives on husbands' marital quality assessment. However,
the current evidence does not confirm the assumption of a
possible combination of partners' mate value promoting
marital quality above and beyond the contribution of both
partners' mate value.