The associations between relationship self-regulation, partner regulation, and relationship outcomes: A meta-analysis

Abstract

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine whether relationship self-regulation (changing aspects of the self for the sake of the relationship) or partner regulation (changing the partner for the sake of the self/relationship) was more strongly associated with romantic relationship quality. Twenty studies (5 on relationship self-regulation, 15 on partner regulation; N = 15,563) were included. A moderate positive association was found between relationship self-regulation and relationship quality (r = .42). A weak positive association was found between positive partner regulation and relationship quality (r = .14). A negative association was found between negative partner regulation strategies and relationship quality (r = −.22). Partner regulation strategies were unlikely to be successful in prompting change in targeted partners. A weak positive association was found between positive strategies and regulation success (r = .10), and a weak negative association was found between negative strategies and regulation success (r = −.09). Thus, relationship self-regulation is more strongly associated with relationship quality than partner regulation.