The Relationship Between Genetic Variation and Marital Satisfaction

Murez, C. (2021, February 23). Could your DNA predict a happy marriage? US News. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-02-23/could-your-dna-predict-a-happy-marriage 

People in satisfying romantic relationships tend to have improved social life and health outcomes. Some couples inspire each other to adopt healthy lifestyles such as quitting smoking and physical activity. However, it is challenging to have a long-term, satisfying romantic relationship. In an article published in the US News , researchers discovered a connection between partners’ deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and satisfying marriages (Murez, 2021). Many couples encounter challenges in the early stages of marriage due to personality differences. Researchers wanted to determine whether genetic variations could also play a role in the current study. They investigated newly married couples from the University of Arkansas for four months every four years (Murez, 2021). The study asserted that marriage satisfaction could depend on a person’s genes. Specifically, the researchers investigated the variation in the CD38 gene linked to social cognition and behavior in animals and romantic relationships in humans (Murez, 2021). The study aimed to determine whether the CD38 gene relates to cognitions and perceptions that enhance couples’ bond during the early years of marriage. They noted a relationship between variation in the CD38 gene and marriage satisfaction. According to the researchers, the gene was associated with bonding-relevant cognitions such as forgiveness, trust, and gratitude (Murez, 2021). As a result, the couples were satisfied with their marriages. Individuals with a specific variation in the CD38 gene were grateful, had a high trust, and forgiven their partner. Although there was an association between the variation in the CD38 gene and marriage satisfaction, the findings did not generalize newlyweds’ marital experience and satisfaction. The researchers stated couples without CD38 gene variation could also have successful marital relationships (Murez, 2021). Nonetheless, such couples are likely to have issues in forgiveness, trust, and gratitude aspects. The research recommends new couples to put in extra effort in these areas. 

Arguably, this article’s focus is relevant to the current society. Many people overlook their genetic compositions when choosing a partner. They believe that similarity in individual traits is adequate to make them compatible. For example, a person who loves working out is likely to marry an individual who engages in physical activity or understands fitness and wellness elements. After a few years of marriage, couples discover they are incompatible despite having similar interests. Besides, making romantic relationships last requires effort, patience, and understanding. Many young couples are not willing to support and forgive each other. Currently, Western countries’ divorce rates are between 30% and 50 % (Makhanova et al., 2021). Different variables make people satisfied or lose interest in their marriages. Some individuals become bored while others lose trust in their partners. Unsatisfying romantic relationships significantly impact a person’s mental and physical health and social life (Makhanova et al., 2021). Unlike the previous studies, this research informs healthcare practitioners and newlywed couples about the genetic components that can enhance their romantic relationships. 

Furthermore, this article relates to personality psychology. It describes how hormones affect social behavior in humans. The researchers highlight the relationship between genetic variation and social relationships elements such as stress coping mechanisms, trust, communication, and emotional intelligence (Makhanova et al., 2021). These factors are linked to personality psychology. The key conclusion is that variation in the CD38 gene enhances the connection between married people. 

However, there are unanswered questions. The researchers focused on Europeans abiding by the western norms of romantic relationships, making it impossible to generalize the findings. They did not consider the impact of genetic variations in arranged marriages. Besides, the study focused on a single genetic variation whose impact on marital satisfaction may be inconclusive. 

Research Article Application 

Lavner, J. A., Weiss, B., Miller, J. D., & Karney, B. R. (2018). Personality change among newlyweds: Patterns, predictors, and associations with marital satisfaction over time. Developmental Psychology , 54 (6), 1172. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000491 

This article provides new insights into the impact of newly married couples’ personality changes on life satisfaction. When couples adapt to new roles, personality traits, such as agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism change, this research asserts that most newlyweds lose interest in their partners ( Lavner et al., 2018). Partners become less satisfied with their marriages when their personality traits change or their partners’ characteristics differ from their initial perceptions. According to researchers, partners’ agreeableness declines during the first years of marriage ( Lavner et al., 2018). This research focused on heterosexual couples. The authors stated that husbands’ extraversion decreased while their conscientiousness increased ( Lavner et al., 2018). However, women had a different personality change; their openness and neuroticism traits declined. Even among couples living together before marriage, there were significant personality changes ( Lavner et al., 2018). Older newly married couples and young newlyweds who became parents after the wedding had similar outcomes. The early years of marriage can be challenging for couples. They adjust to new living arranges, physical, emotional, and financial interdependence ( Lavner et al., 2018). Besides, it is the first time for many people to discover “ideal” marriage is different from “actual” marriage. Newlyweds are likely to disagree on various issues and engage in risky behaviors like aggression, promiscuity, and substance abuse ( Lavner et al., 2018). For this reason, couples are likely to accuse their partners of being insensitive and inconsiderate. For example, women who feel like they cannot express their feelings to their partners are likely to seek other men’s emotional support. Disagreements in early marriages may result in divorce. 

This study has two purposes of addressing the reasons for high divorce rates among newlyweds. The researchers noted no study had investigated the personality change during the early years of marriage ( Lavner et al., 2018). They highlighted the personality changes one may expect among newlyweds, including shyness and self-esteem. The study’s first aim is to investigate the changes in newly married couples’ big five personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness ( Lavner et al., 2018). It incorporated spouses’ age, premarital relationship, parenthood, prior marital satisfaction, and demographic features. The second purpose of the study was to investigate whether personality trait changes were linked to negative marital satisfaction ( Lavner et al., 2018). Certainly, newlyweds’ big five personality traits determine their marital satisfaction and ability to address problems. Past studies claim newlyweds’ neuroticism promotes marital dissatisfaction ( Lavner et al., 2018). This study highlights how each personality trait determines marital quality. 

The researchers used a qualitative research design method to answer the research questions. They provided questionnaires to couples asking them to describe how their personality traits and their partners’ have changed over time ( Lavner et al., 2018). The research took place in two phases. In the first stage, the researchers recruited couples married for six months ( Lavner et al., 2018). The investigators reached out to the couples six and twelve months later. This strategy was to determine the self-reported changes in personality traits. Additionally, the couples filled in the Quality of Marriage Index (QMI) questionnaire inquiring about their marital satisfaction over the two periods ( Lavner et al., 2018). Statistical tools described the relationship between the couples’ personality and marital satisfaction. The research was detailed since it incorporated the couples’ marital satisfaction levels before and after marriage and their socio-economic backgrounds. 

As a result, the conclusions of the study were appropriate. The authors answered the research questions by stating how personality changes affect newlyweds’ marital satisfaction. Besides, they investigated the specific personality changes in men and women. These findings can explain the reason for high divorce rates. 

This article has methodological strengths. For example, the detailed assessment of new couples in two stages allowed the researchers to capture the personality changes in the early stages of marriage while adjusting to new roles and before the wedding. Besides, the study provides self-reported data, which can be reliable in informing marital satisfaction. One of the research’s limitations is the authors assessed the couples before and after they were married; they failed to consider personality changes during the engagement period ( Lavner et al., 2018). Another problem is the overemphasis on the big five personality traits. The authors should have investigated how other personality traits change over time. 

This current article on the link between genetic variation and marital satisfaction in newlyweds relates to this study. This article asserts that personality changes may impair long-term romantic relationships. The current study provided in the US News argues that these changes are expected, but couples who share genetic variations are likely to address them (Murez, 2021). Both studies describe the elements that may cause marital dissatisfaction and, subsequently, divorce. 

This study’s conclusions differ from the message in the popular news outlet. According to this study, individual differences contribute to marital problems and dissatisfaction. However, the US News article asserts that a lack of similarity genetic variation may undermine marital satisfaction (Murez, 2021). The first study attributes nature to a successful marriage, while the second article asserts nurture determines marital satisfaction. It maintains that people who have different personality traits may incompatible partners. Conversely, the US News article claims that people who share genetic composition are likely to trust and communicate well with their partners (Murez, 2021). Nonetheless, both reports claim that disagreements frequently occur in new marriages. 

Connection to Personality Theory 

Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory 

Erikson’s psychosocial development theory has eight stages describing how human beings evolve. In the first stage, known as infancy, people distinguish between trust and mistrust (Knight, 2017). The second period is early childhood, characterized by autonomy, shame, and doubt. At this stage, a child understands how they relate to the environment. 

The third stage is the play age and is characterized by initiative and guilt. Children at this stage are seeking purpose. In the fourth stage, children learn to be either industrious or inferior while at school (Knight, 2017). The young adulthood period is marked by the need for intimacy and love. At the final stages, adulthood and old age wisdom are characterized by generativity, care, and wisdom. 

Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development can explain the findings in the article. Young adults seek to understand love by being in intimate relationships (Knight, 2017). At this stage, the newlyweds seek connection with their partners. In most cases, young people go on dates to determine whether they are compatible with their partners (Knight, 2017). Some investigate their partners’ background and heritability factors. They believe these aspects can impact their children’s upbringing and marital satisfaction. Some couples cohabit before marrying to understand how marriage feels and adjustments needed. Erikson describes this stage as a search for mutual loving; couples investigate whether they are closely connected to their partners (Knight, 2017). The current study supports Erikson’s development theory. It asserts that people with similar genetic variations are likely to be compatible and have a successful marriage. Sometimes, people may not know how their childhood affects their partners’ selection. Individuals with similar genetic compositions are likely to trust each other and elicit secure and loving attachments (Knight, 2017). Erikson stated that two people could trust each other when their energies are connected. The energies, in this sense, are the genetic variation. When people realize they are connected, they are likely to have hope in their social life (Knight, 2017). The article asserts that CD38 gene variation improves trust and forgiving attitudes among couples. 

Self-Efficacy Theory 

Self-efficacy theory aims to improve the outcome of an event and link the expectations to a person’s belief. It asserts there are effective methods that people can use to accomplish specific tasks (Vaughan-Johnston & Jacobson, 2020). Self-efficacy beliefs can be distinct depending on the individual. For example, a teacher’s confidence can enhance their ability to provide instructions and assess students’ progress. Self-efficacy theory has four elements: performance accomplishments, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physiological factors (Vaughan-Johnston & Jacobson, 2020). Vicarious experience entails guiding a skilled person to complete tasks without problems. 

Self-efficacy theory is applicable in developing planned behavior. It determines the impact of one’s actions and traits, evaluates the subjective norms, and perceives a person’s behavioral control (Vaughan-Johnston & Jacobson, 2020). It highlights the factors that make people engage in certain behaviors. Self-efficacy theory explains why people do not believe in their abilities and how this perception impacts their performance. 

Self-efficacy theory supports the findings in the article. It asserts that people with similar genetic variation may positively perceive themselves and others (Vaughan-Johnston & Jacobson, 2020). For this reason, they are likely to trust, communicate, and forgive their partners’ transgressions. Self-efficacy enables individuals to develop cognitive skills that will allow them to address marital problems. Genetic composition plays a role in a person’s ability to process emotions. According to the self-efficacy theory, resilient people are likely to overcome depression and solve problems (Vaughan-Johnston & Jacobson, 2020). This trait could be inherited from parents. Self-efficacy theory offers an alternate understanding of why newlyweds with similar GD38 gene variation have satisfying marriages. It explains they have unique features that enhance their emotional intelligence. 

Self-efficacy elaborates on people’s personality. According to this approach, people should engage in actions they can succeed (Vaughan-Johnston & Jacobson, 2020). For example, marital success relies on constant communication and understanding. However, most newlyweds do not possess these traits. Therefore, they should only seek partners whose genetic variations are similar. 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 

Maslow’s theory of needs also describes human relationships. According to Maslow, people’s needs can be categorized into physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization (Fallatah & Syed, 2017). Physiological conditions include food, clothing, shelter and water. These elements make people happy since it enables them to survive. Safety needs refer to the security that a person expects in their environment (Fallatah & Syed, 2017). People fear situations that threaten their life and job security. Social needs can be attained through friendships, motivation, love, and a feeling of belongingness (Fallatah & Syed, 2017). Emotional and social support makes people satisfied with their lives. 

Esteem needs are evident through respect for one’s rights, acknowledgement of a person’s achievement, and appreciation of one’s abilities (Fallatah & Syed, 2017). People enjoy living in environments that appreciate their presence and efforts. Self-actualization is the final stage of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. People are satisfied with physiological, esteem, safety, and love; they seek personal growth. 

Maslow’s theory supports my article since it describes the reason most new marriages fail. It points out that married couples seek physiological, safety, esteem, and love from their partners (Fallatah & Syed, 2017). However, most newlyweds do not know how to provide social and emotional support to their partners. For this reason, most new marriages fail. Only the people connected through personality traits or genetic composition can provide safety, love, and support to their partners. Maslow’s theory asserts that married people are likely to stay in marriages that value their presence, contributions, and emotions. 

It provides a powerful understanding of personality factors that determine marital satisfaction. In each marriage, couples look for specific needs. At first, they seek food, shelter, and water. Most people can provide these resources. Maslow’s theory insists that physical and financial resources are not enough to make a marriage last (Fallatah & Syed, 2017). Couples need people they can communicate with, show love, support, and trust. 

Personal Relevance 

The article is relevant to my life since it provides significant insights into marriage life. I want to be married someday, and like most young people, I am concerned about the possibility of my marriage failing in the first few years. I have learned people’s personality traits may change after a year of being married. The study’s findings explain why divorce rates are on the rise. I witnessed some of my close relatives divorcing their spouses, yet they seemed happy before marriage. This article taught me that genetic composition could have also influenced their decision. I have also learned that many couples are in unsatisfying marriages. Although I knew that marriages could be challenging, I did not discover that gratitude can create distance between partners. 

I have learned significant lessons from Erikson’s social development theory, self-efficacy theory, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. After analyzing how social development theory relates to marriage, I learned why young adults rush to be married. I discovered that a successful marriage should provide both couples love and intimacy. These two elements are essential for a young person’s cognitive and mental development. Failure to achieve them during adulthood may create negative perceptions of marriage and undermine a person’s social relationships. After reading the self-efficacy theory, I noticed that personality traits determine people’s ability to overcome problems. Specifically, I discovered that resilience and emotional intelligence could enable a person to solve social and career life issues. Maslow’s theory of needs enhanced my understanding of human needs. I realized that human beings have different needs based on their age, gender, and background. People stay in an environment that cater to their needs. If marriage caters for a young adult’s needs, such as love and intimacy, they are likely to maintain long-term commitment. 

I intend to use the concepts learned from personality research to understand and improve my social relationships. Instead of constantly arguing with my partner, I will communicate with them. According to the study, forgiveness, trust, and gratitude are essential elements in enhancing marital satisfaction. For this reason, I will read more research journals that describe the practical applications of Maslow’ hierarchy needs, self-efficacy, and social development to understand how my traits affect people. I discovered that friendships also provide love and intimacy. Thus, I will ask my friends about the characteristics they find and if I have changed since I started interacting with them. Their feedback will inform me about my strengths and weaknesses. The practical value of understanding personality theory is applicable when forming social relationships. It enables a person to choose friends and partners who can satisfy their needs. Personality theory also explains why people’s perception of love and intimacy. 

I am concerned about the impact of genetic variation when choosing a partner. People who love each other should be willing to express the issues that make them uncomfortable. However, the authors insist that a person’s genes may influence their happiness. This insight may exacerbate marital problems and create distance between couples. Some people may question their true feelings or only act on them when their genetic variations are compatible with their partners. As a result, marriage may lose its unique purpose, to offer love and intimacy. 

References 

Fallatah, R. H. M., & Syed, J. (2018). A critical review of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Employee Motivation in Saudi Arabia , 19-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67741-5_2 

Knight, Z. G. (2017). A proposed model of psychodynamic psychotherapy linked to Erik Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy , 24 (5), 1047-1058. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2066 

Lavner, J. A., Weiss, B., Miller, J. D., & Karney, B. R. (2018). Personality change among newlyweds: Patterns, predictors, and associations with marital satisfaction over time. Developmental Psychology , 54 (6), 1172. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000491 

Makhanova, A., McNulty, J.K., Eckel, L.A., Nikonova, L., Bartz, J.A., Hammock, E.A. (2021). CD38 is associated with bonding-relevant cognitions and relationship satisfaction over the first 3 years of marriage. Scientific Reports, 11(2 965). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82307-z 

Murez, C. (2021, February 23). Could your DNA predict a happy marriage? US News. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-02-23/could-your-dna-predict-a-happy-marriage 

Vaughan‐Johnston, T. I., & Jacobson, J. A. (2020). Self‐efficacy theory. The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences: Models and Theories , 375-379. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119547143.ch62