title: Empathy in intimate relationships: the role of positive illusions.
abstract: Previous studies have shown empathy to be an important aspect of a high quality intimate relationship. Likewise, positive illusions about a partner's characteristics have been shown to contribute to relationship quality. The present study connects these issues by examining the degree to which individuals hold positive illusions about a partner's level of empathy, and the extent to which these positive illusions are related to relationship quality and adjustment in a sample of 55 couples. Results showed that positive illusions concerning a partner's level of empathy were only held by women. In addition, people's evaluation of relationship quality and adjustment was consistently related to both their own and their partner's positive empathy illusions. Finally, an interaction effect was found between participant sex and the partner effect of positive empathy illusions: the illusions held by the partner (only for men) were related to relationship quality. Results and implications for theory and relationship counseling are discussed.
authors.affiliation: NCOI Business School, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pieternel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: Dick P H
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Barelds
authors.forename: Hinke A K
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Groothof
authors.forename: Marnix
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Bruggen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Positive illusions; empathy; relationship quality