Dispositional empathy, dyadic perspective-taking, and interpersonal perceptions among married persons in relation to marital adjustment

Several studies have shown that various aspects of empathy are important in relationship satisfaction. In addition, the similarity, assumed similarity, and accuracy of interpersonal perceptions among married couples have also been shown to be positively related to marital adjustment. The present study examined these variables in a sample of 42 married couples. It was found that Perspective-Taking and Empathic Concern, as well as Dyadic Perspective-Taking were positively associated with marital adjustment. In addition, it was observed that accuracy of interpersonal perceptions was positively related to marital satisfaction and satisfaction regarding conflict resolutions. This significant correlation did not remain, however, when the effects of similarity and assumed similarity were taken into account. Finally, it was proposed that Perspective-Taking ability would be positively related to accuracy of interpersonal perceptions. This hypothesis was largely unsupported