| The current study reviews relevant prior research regarding partner support, particularly partner support research concerning the optimal matching model. Replications of past optimal matching research were attempted and the validity of the current optimal matching model was tested. Married couples from a college sample (N = 66 couples) recorded their satisfaction with partner support received from the spouse during supportive interactions. Some findings in prior research were replicated, while others were not. With regard to the validity of the current optimal matching model, intrapersonal, stressor, and support variables did not reach significance as unique predictors of satisfaction with partner support. The current study found only interpersonal variables to be unique predictors of satisfaction with partner support. There was evidence for a mediational model of partner support for females in which interpersonal variables mediated the relationship between intrapersonal variables and satisfaction with partner support. Discussion summarizes current findings with regard to the optimal matching model of support, discrepancies between current and existing research, the utility and importance of current findings, the limitations of the current study, and suggestions for future directions in optimal matching model research. |
