Miyagawa, Y. (宮川裕基) & Taniguchi, J. (谷口淳一). (2026).
Dyadic associations among interpersonal goals, self-expression, and relationship satisfaction in marital relationships in Japan.
婚姻関係における、対人目標、自己表現、関係満足度の関連性
Current Psychology, 48, 28.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-08830-8
The ecosystem and egosystem motivational perspective of relationships posits that individuals pursue four interpersonal goals that affect both intrapersonal and interpersonal experiences. This study examined whether the four interpersonal goals (compassionate goals, and competent, likable, and avoidant self-image goals) are associated with authentic self-expression, inauthentic self-expression, and relationship satisfaction. A total of 406 heterosexual married couples in Japan completed measures of interpersonal goals, self-expression, and relationship satisfaction. The actor-partner interdependence model revealed the within-individual relations among the variables. Specifically, compassionate goals were positively associated with authentic self-expression, inauthentic self-expression, and relationship satisfaction. Likable self-image goals were positively associated with inauthentic self-expression. Avoidant self-image goals were negatively associated with authentic self-expression and positively with inauthentic self-expression. Furthermore, we found the between-individual relations of individuals’ compassionate goals to their partners’ authentic self-expression and relationship satisfaction. Overall, this study aligns with the ecosystem and egosystem motivational perspective and highlights that individuals’ interpersonal goals orient their own and their partners’ self-expression and relationship satisfaction.