Value priorities and relationship functioning: Whether and how they matter

Abstract

Why do some romantic relationships fail whereas others thrive? The present research proposes human values as a distal explanation to romantic relationship functioning. Four studies were conducted. In Part 1, we focused on the association between value priorities and relationship functioning. First, a secondary data analysis (Study 1, N= 229) revealed negative associations between self-enhancement values and relationship functioning, and positive associations between self-transcendence values and relationship functioning. Interestingly, these effects seem to be partially mediated by growth beliefs, such that growth beliefs partially explained the effect of value priorities (self-enhancement values and self-transcendence values) on relationship functioning. In Study 2 (N= 125) we addressed the issue of causation. Against predictions, no effects of value priorities on relationship beliefs were found. In Part 2, we focused on the association of values with relationship stability; in Study 3 (N= 335) and Study 4 (N= 142) we investigated whether individuals who experienced a divorce versus individuals who are married differed on value priorities, relationship functioning, and relationship beliefs. Merely on self-transcendence values a difference between divorced and married individuals was found. Furthermore, divorced individuals reported less relationship quality, and lower growth beliefs as compared to married individuals. Implications for the extant literature on values and interpersonal relationships are discussed.