Cultural values and locus of control: Effects on socioemotional intimacy and relationship satisfaction

Intimate relationships are affected by different personality traits offered by the partners and by their respective cultural backgrounds. Moreover, positive and negative elements in partners' behaviors can change the level of intimacy in the relationship, thus affecting the level of relationship satisfaction. In the current study some questions regarding the relationship between cultural values, locus of control, relationship satisfaction, and levels of socioemotional are examined. Participants were 223 heterosexual dating or married individuals recruited by students. Surveys completed by participants included items regarding socioemotional intimacy, cultural value orientations, relationship satisfaction, and locus of control. Utilizing correlations, multiple regression, and exploratory path analysis, results show that levels of socioemotional intimacy in relationships affect levels of relationships satisfaction, while locus of control and cultural values have no effect. Further work in developing the construct of socioemotional intimacy and other related constructs might contribute to couples therapy and to communication skills enhancement.