Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies.
Details
Download: Joel et al2020Machine learning rel qual.pdf (1133.69 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: author
License: Not specified
State: Public
Version: author
License: Not specified
Secondary document(s)
Download: Joel et al_PNAS Supplemental Materials_accepted.pdf (1105.31 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Supplementary document
License: Not specified
State: Public
Version: Supplementary document
License: Not specified
Serval ID
serval:BIB_66734A076851
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies.
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
ISSN
1091-6490 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0027-8424
Publication state
Published
Issued date
11/08/2020
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
117
Number
32
Pages
19061-19071
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Given the powerful implications of relationship quality for health and well-being, a central mission of relationship science is explaining why some romantic relationships thrive more than others. This large-scale project used machine learning (i.e., Random Forests) to 1) quantify the extent to which relationship quality is predictable and 2) identify which constructs reliably predict relationship quality. Across 43 dyadic longitudinal datasets from 29 laboratories, the top relationship-specific predictors of relationship quality were perceived-partner commitment, appreciation, sexual satisfaction, perceived-partner satisfaction, and conflict. The top individual-difference predictors were life satisfaction, negative affect, depression, attachment avoidance, and attachment anxiety. Overall, relationship-specific variables predicted up to 45% of variance at baseline, and up to 18% of variance at the end of each study. Individual differences also performed well (21% and 12%, respectively). Actor-reported variables (i.e., own relationship-specific and individual-difference variables) predicted two to four times more variance than partner-reported variables (i.e., the partner's ratings on those variables). Importantly, individual differences and partner reports had no predictive effects beyond actor-reported relationship-specific variables alone. These findings imply that the sum of all individual differences and partner experiences exert their influence on relationship quality via a person's own relationship-specific experiences, and effects due to moderation by individual differences and moderation by partner-reports may be quite small. Finally, relationship-quality change (i.e., increases or decreases in relationship quality over the course of a study) was largely unpredictable from any combination of self-report variables. This collective effort should guide future models of relationships.
Keywords
Family Characteristics, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Longitudinal Studies, Machine Learning, Male, Self Report, Random Forests, ensemble methods, machine learning, relationship quality, romantic relationships
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
11/08/2020 9:53
Last modification date
06/02/2021 7:09