Instrumentalness and expressiveness: Predictors of heterosexual relationship satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which stage of relationship development moderated the link between instrumentalness, expressiveness, and relationship satisfaction. Three hundred ninety three subjects indicated that they were either casually dating, seriously dating, or engaged. Results revealed that although relationship stage predicted satisfaction for both males and females, it did not interact significantly with instrumentalness and expressiveness and thus, did not serve a moderating function. Results also indicated that for males, self-perceptions of instrumentalness and expressiveness, as well as partner's perceived expressiveness predicted relationship satisfaction. For females, partner's perceived instrumentalness and expressiveness significantly predicted relationship satisfaction. Discussion centered on the different findings for males and females, and on implications for future research concerning the influence of instrumentalness and expressiveness on dyadic interaction.