Personality traits and spouse selection in young adults: The mediating role of religiosity

Faiz Younas; Kinzah Nayab; Fatima Younas

doi:10.71085/sss.04.02.266

Authors

Mr Faiz Younas Institute of Applied Psychology, University of Punjab, Lahore Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7086-0538
Ms Kinzah Nayab BS Scholar, Institute of Applied Psychology Quaid-e-Azam Campus, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan Author
Ms Fatima Younas Independent Researcher, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71085/sss.04.02.266

Keywords:

Spouse selection, Religosity, Personality Traits, Young Adults, Relationships

Abstract

The study investigated the association between personality traits, religiosity, and spouse selection in young adults. This cross-sectional research included 230 participants (men = 113, women = 117) aged 18-35 years (M_age = 22.3, SD_age = 3.01), recruited in-person using a non-probability convenient sampling strategy. Participants filled out a demographic information sheet and completed English versions of the Ten Item Personality Inventory (Gosling et al., 2003), Religious Commitment Inventory-10 (Worthington et al., 2003), and Preference Criteria of Spouse Selection Inventory (Refahi et al., 2010). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.00 and Process Macro version 4.2. The findings revealed that process criteria of spouse selection positively correlated with religiosity, extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, but showed a negative association with neuroticism. Conversely, the content criteria of spouse selection showed negative associations with religiosity, extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, while positively correlating with neuroticism and openness to experiences. Furthermore, religiosity, extraversion, and agreeableness predicted both spouse selection criteria, with openness only predicting content criteria. Moreover, all personality traits indirectly influenced both spouse selection criteria through religiosity. This study has implications for academia and marital counseling, offering insights that could guide young adults in making informed and value-aligned marital decisions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Mr Faiz Younas, Institute of Applied Psychology, University of Punjab, Lahore

Lecturer

Institute of Applied Psychology

University of Punjab, Lahore
Ms Kinzah Nayab, BS Scholar, Institute of Applied Psychology Quaid-e-Azam Campus, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

.

References

Abbas, E., & Ferdoos, A. (2022). Uncovering the preferences of highly qualified women during spouse selection from district Skardu – Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.52131/pjhss.2022.1002.0225

Abdel-Khalek, A. M., Bakhiet, S. F. A., Osman, H. A., & Lester, D. (2023). The associations between religiosity and the Big-Five personality traits in college students from Sudan. Acta Psychologica, 239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104013

Abdullah, S. H., Li, P. L & David, V. P. A. (2011). Gender differences in mate selection criteria among Malaysian undergraduate students. Sarjana, 26(2), 33-50. https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/SARJANA/article/view/10465/7429

Afhami, R., Mohammadi-Zarghan, S., & Atari, M. (2017). Self-Rating of religiosity (SRR) in Iran: validity, reliability, and associations with the Big Five. Mental Health Religion & Culture, 20(9), 879–887. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2017.1313825

Alavi, A. K., Haneef, M., & Ali, F. (2014) Spouse selection criteria: a case study of university students. Science International. 26(5), 2509-2513. https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.25.4.1

Allport, G. W., & Ross, J. M. (1967). Personal religious orientation and prejudice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5(4), 432–443. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0021212

Arnocky, S. (2018). Self-perceived mate value, facial attractiveness, and mate preferences: Do desirable men want it all? Evolutionary Psychology, 16(1), 147470491876327. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474704918763271

Asamarai, Layla A.; Solberg, Kenneth B.; Solon, Phyllis C. (2008). The role of religiosity in Muslim spouse selection and its influence on marital satisfaction. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 3(1), 37–52. https://doi:10.1080/15564900802006459

Azucar, D., Marengo, D., & Settanni, M. (2018). Predicting the big 5 personality traits from digital footprints on social media: A meta-analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 124, 150-159. https://doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.12.018

Badahdah, A. M., & Tiemann, K. A. (2009). Religion and Mate Selection through Cyberspace: A Case Study of Preferences among Muslims. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 29(1), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602000902726798

Baranski, E., Gardiner, G., Shaman, N., Shagan, J., Lee, D., & Funder, D. (2024). Personality and conceptions of religiosity across the world’s religions. Journal of Research in Personality, 110, 104496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2024.104496

Brkljačić, T., Brajša-Žganec, A., Džida, M., Topić, K. M. & Kućar, M. (2024). Marital satisfaction and personality traits: The role of individual personality, spouse’s personality, and personality similarity between spouses. Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 21(2024), 122-140. https://doi.org/10.26262/hjp.v21i2.9549

Bunnett, E. R. (2020). Gender differences in perceived traits of men and women. The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, 179–184. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119547174.ch207

Burki, S. J., & Ziring, L. (2025, January 17). Pakistan | History, Population, Religion, & Prime Minister. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Pakistan/Religion

Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 12(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x00023992

Buss, D. M., & Barnes, M. (1986). Preferences in human mate selection. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50(3), 559–570. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.50.3.559

Buss, D. M., & Shackelford, T. K. (2008). Attractive Women Want it All: Good Genes, Economic Investment, Parenting Proclivities, and Emotional Commitment. Evolutionary Psychology, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/147470490800600116

Buston, P. M., & Emlen, S. T. (2003). Cognitive processes underlying human mate choice: The relationship between self-perception and mate preference in Western society. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 100(15), 8805–8810. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1533220100

Buunk, A. P., Park, J. H., & Duncan, L. A. (2009). Cultural variation in parental influence on mate choice. Cross-Cultural Research, 44(1), 23–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069397109337711

Byrne, D. (1971). The attraction paradigm. Academic Press.

Caspi, A., Roberts, B. W., & Shiner, R. L. (2005). Personality development: stability and change. Annual Review of Psychology, 56(1), 453–484. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.141913

Cattell, H. E. P., & Mead, A. D. (2008). The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF). In G. J. Boyle, G. Matthews, & D. H. Saklofske (Eds.), The SAGE handbook of personality theory and assessment, Vol. 2. Personality measurement and testing (pp. 135–159). Sage Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849200479.n7

Cattell, H. E. P., & Mead, A. D. (2008). The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF). In G. J. Boyle, G. Matthews, & D. H. Saklofske (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Personality Theory and Assessment, Vol. 2 (pp. 135–159). Sage Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849200479.n7

Chirwa, M., Banda, L., & Thankian, K. (2022). Lived experiences of married postgraduate students at University of Zambia regarding marriage mate selection. Archives of Current Research International, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.9734/acri/2022/v22i530287

Costa Jr, P. T., Terracciano, A., & McCrae, R. R. (2001). Gender differences in personality traits across cultures: Robust and surprising findings. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(2), 322. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.2.322

Costa Jr, P. T., Terracciano, A., & McCrae, R. R. (2001). Gender differences in personality traits across cultures: robust and surprising findings. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(2), 322. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.2.322

Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). The Five-Factor model of personality and its relevance to personality disorders. Journal of Personality Disorders, 6(4), 343–359. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.1992.6.4.343

Diener, E., & Lucas, R.E. (2020). Personality traits. DEF Publishers.

Diener, E., Tay, L., & Myers, D. G. (2011). The religion paradox: If religion makes people happy, why are so many dropping out? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(6), 1278–1290. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024402

Digman, J. M. (1990). Personality Structure: Emergence of the Five-Factor Model. Annual Review of Psychology, 41(1), 417–440. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.41.020190.002221

Eysenck, H. J., & Eysenck, S. B. G. (1993). Eysenck personality questionnaire-revised (EPQ-R) American Psychological Association Psychological Tests. https://doi.org/10.1037/t05461-000

Figueredo, A. J., Sefcek, J. A., & Jones, D. N. (2006). The ideal romantic partner personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 41(3), 431–441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.02.004

Gerber, A. S., Huber, G. A., Doherty, D., & Dowling, C. M. (2011). The big five personality traits in the political arena. Annual Review of Political Science, 14(1), 265-287. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-051010-111659

Glock, Y. C., & Stark, R. (1965). Religion and Society in Tension. Rand McNally.

Gosling, S. D., Rentfrow, P. J., & Swann Jr, W. B. (2003). A very brief measure of the big-five personality domains. Journal of Research in Personality, 37(6), 504-528. https://doi:10.1016/S0092-6566(03)00046-1

Graziano, W. G., & Tobin, R. M. (2009). Agreeableness. In M. R. Leary & R. H. Hoyle (Eds.), Handbook of individual differences in social behavior (pp. 46–61). The Guilford Press.

Hackett, C., Cramer, S., Marshal, A. F., Fahmy, D. (2018). 3. How religious commitment varies by country among people of all ages. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2018/06/13/how-religious-commitment-varies-by-country-among-people-of-all-ages/

Hill, P. C., Pargament, K. I., Hood, R. W., Jr, M. E. M., Swyers, J. P., Larson, D. B., & Zinnbauer, B. J. (2000). Conceptualizing religion and spirituality: points of commonality, points of departure. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 30(1), 51–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5914.00119

Holdcroft, B. B. (2006). What is religiosity. Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice, 10(1), 89-103. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1006105.pdf

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.02.004

Hulin, C., Netemeyer, R., & Cudeck, R. (2001). Can a reliability coefficient be too high? Journal of Consumer Psychology, 10(1), 55-58.

Hunter, B. D., & Merrill, R. M. (2013). Religious Orientation and Health among Active Older Adults in the United States. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(3), 851–863. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9530-4

Husain, W., & Gulzar, A. (2015). The psychosocial preferences in mate selection among Pakistanis. FWU Journal of Social Sciences, 9(2), 28-31. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297827593_The_psychosocial_preferences_in_mate_selection_among_Pakistanis

Ilter, B., Bayraktaroglu, G., & Ipek, I. (2017). Impact of Islamic religiosity on materialistic values in Turkey. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 8(4), 533–557. https://doi.org/10.1108/jima-12-2015-0092

Johnson, B. R., Jang, S. J., Larson, D. B., & De Li, S. (2001). Does adolescent religious commitment matter? A reexamination of the Effects of Religiosity on Delinquency. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 38(1), 22–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022427801038001002

Kasser, T., & Sharma, Y. S. (1999). Reproductive freedom, educational equality, and females’ preference for Resource-Acquisition characteristics in mates. Psychological Science, 10(4), 374–377. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00171

Keldal, G. (2020). The relationships between personality traits and mate selection strategies of Turkish young adults. Current Psychology, 1-6. https://doi:10.1007/s12144-020-01044-0

Khalid, A., & Hassan, S. S. (2019). Inter-generational differences in partner selection criteria among women in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Women S Studies Alam-e-Niswan, 26(2), 127–148. https://doi.org/10.46521/pjws.026.02.0011

Ktsanes, T. (1995). Mate selection based on personality type: a study utilizing an empirical typology of personality. American Sociological Review, 20(5), 547-551. https://doi.org/10.2307/2092562

Lace, J. W., Evans, L. N., Merz, Z. C., & Handal, P. J. (2020). Five-factor model personality traits and self-classified religiousness and spirituality. Journal of Religion and Health, 59(3), 1344-1369. https://doi: 10.1007/s10943-019-00847-1.

MacDonald, D. A. (2000). Spirituality: description, measurement, and relation to the five factor model of personality. Journal of Personality, 68(1), 153–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6494.t01-1-00094

Major-Smith, D., Halstead, I., Morgan, J., Tohidinik, H. R., Iles-Caven, Y., Golding, J., & Northstone, K. (2023). Individual-level changes in religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviors over three decades in the parental generation of the ALSPAC cohort, UK. Religion Brain & Behavior, 13(4), 379–398. https://doi.org/10.1080/2153599x.2022.2156584

Maliki, A. (2009). Determinants of Mate selection choice among University Students in South-South Zone of Nigeria. Edo Journal of Counselling, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.4314/ejc.v2i2.60856

Masoom, M. R., & Sarker, M. M. (2017). The Effect of Materialistic Value-Orientation on Religiosity in Bangladesh: An Empirical investigation. Religions, 9(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9010006

Matthews, G., Deary, I. J., & Whiteman, M. C. (2003). Personality traits (2 nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511812736

Matz, S., Chan, Y. W. F., & Kosinski, M. (2016). Models of personality. Emotions and Personality in Personalized Services: Models, Evaluation and Applications, 35-54. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31413-6_3

McAdams, D. P. (1992). The Five‐Factor Model in Personality: a Critical Appraisal. Journal of Personality, 60(2), 329–361. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1992.tb00976.x

McAdams, D. P., & Pals, J. L. (2006). A new Big Five: Fundamental principles for an integrative science of personality. American Psychologist, 61(3), 204–217. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.61.3.204

McCrae, R. R., & John, O. P. (1992). An introduction to the Five‐Factor model and its applications. Journal of Personality, 60(2), 175–215. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1992.tb00970.x

Movahedi, A. (2015). Assessment of importance of personality, family and society on spouse selection. Research Journal of Social Sciences, 8(4), 134-140. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277955117_Assessment_of_Importance_of_Personality_Family_and_Society_on_Spouse_Selection

Nejad, S. B., Parniak, A., & Honarmand, M. M. (2021). Attitudes toward love, emotional maturity, and early maladaptive schemas as predictors of spouse selection in people on the verge of marriage. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpbs.109978

Niwlikar, B. (2022, October 14). Allport's Theory of Personality- Discover the 3 Insightful Catagories of Personality. Careershodh. https://www.careershodh.com/allports-theory-of-personality/

Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric Theory (2nd ed.). Mcgraw Hill Book Company.

Parsaei, M. K., & Refahi, Z. Prediction of spouse selection criteria based on personality traits. Science Arena Publications International Journal of Philosophy and Social-Psychological Sciences, 3(2), 28-35. https://sciarena.com/storage/models/article/AgiFy3aJN82XSwkriQX426gJc3YJTHwNyQxoum0t3ausbQbo1PAQkWxFCEWw/prediction-of-spouse-selection-criteria-based-on-personality-traits.pdf

Pessin, L. (2017). Changing gender norms and marriage dynamics in the United States. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(1), 25–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12444

Refahi Z, Sanai ZB, Shafiabadi A, Sharifi HP. (2010). Barrasiye moghayese'i melak haye hamsar gozini dar zanan va mardan shirazi dar do mogheiyat hengam ezdevaj va aknoon [The comparative study of the criteria for spouse selection under two circumstances (at the beginning of marriage and present time) on a sample husband and wives in Shiraz]. Counselling Research and Development, 9(33), 7-31.

Regan, P. C., Levin, L., Sprecher, S., Christopher, F. S., & Gate, R. (2008). Partner preferences. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 12(3), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1300/j056v12n03_01

Roberts, B. W., Jackson, J. J., Fayard, J. V., Edmonds, G., & Meints, J. (2009). Conscientiousness. In M. R. Leary & R. H. Hoyle (Eds.), Handbook of individual differences in social behavior (pp. 369–381). The Guilford Press.

Roberts, B. W., Kuncel, N. R., Shiner, R., Caspi, A., & Goldberg, L. R. (2007). The Power of Personality: the comparative validity of personality traits, socioeconomic status, and cognitive ability for predicting important life outcomes. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2(4), 313–345. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6916.2007.00047.x

Rosifah, S. N., Nuryakin, C., & Handalusia, V. (2019). Islamic precepts for marital happiness in Indonesia: the role of religiosity and spouse's characteristics. International Journal of Business & Society, 20. https:// doi: 10.2466/pr0.100.1.59-65.

Ryan, B. (2004). Mate selection across cultures. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(4), 1070–1071. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-2445.2004.0br2.x

Saroglou, V. (2002). Religion and the five factors of personality: a meta-analytic review. Personality and Individual Differences, 32(1), 15–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0191-8869(00)00233-6

Saroglou, V. (2010). Religiousness as a cultural adaptation of basic traits: a five-factor model perspective. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 14(1), 108–125. https://doi:10.1177/1088868309352322

Saucier, G., & Skrzypińska, K. (2006). Spiritual but not religious? Evidence for two independent dispositions. Journal of Personality, 74(5), 1257–1292. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2006.00409.x

Schacter, D. L., Gilbert, D. T., & Wegner, D. M. (2011). Psychology (2nd. ed.). Worth Publishers.

Schmitt, D. P., & Fuller, R. C. (2015). On the varieties of sexual experience: Cross-cultural links between religiosity and human mating strategies. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 7(4), 314–326. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000036

Schnell, T. (2012). Spirituality with and without Religion—Differential Relationships with Personality. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 34(1), 33–61. https://doi.org/10.1163/157361212x644495

Schwartz, C. R., & Han, H. (2015). The reversal of the gender gap in education and trends in marital dissolution. American Sociological Review, 79(4), 605–629. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122414539682

Shahzad, A. (2017). Differentials in Female Age at Marriage in Pakistan: Have They Changed or Not? NUST Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(1), 71–94. https://doi.org/10.51732/njssh.v3i1.19

Shaw, A. (2001). Kinship, cultural preference and immigration: Consanguineous marriage among British Pakistanis. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 7(2), 315–334. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.00065

Soomro, N. H., & Memon, A. P. (2010). 01 Individualism–Collectivism and Related Value Dimensions: A comparative study of Pakistani and Polish students. Biannual Journal of Gender and Social Issues, 9(1). https://jgsi.fjwu.edu.pk/jgsi/article/view/307

Szcześniak, M.; Sopińska, B.; Kroplewski, Z. (2019). Big five personality traits and life satisfaction: the mediating role of religiosity. Religions, 10(7). https://doi:10.3390/rel10070437

Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(1_suppl), S54–S66. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146510383501

Uperty, D. M. (2024). Changing trends of marriage: emerging complication, paradoxical thinking and social transformation. Tri-Chandra Journal of Anthropology, 1, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3126/tja.v1i1.67954

Waite, L. J., & Lehrer, E. L. (2003). The Benefits from Marriage and Religion in the United States: A Comparative Analysis. Population and Development Review, 29(2), 255–275. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2003.00255.x

Widiger, T. A. (2009). Neuroticism. In M. R. Leary & R. H. Hoyle (Eds.), Handbook of individual differences in social behavior (pp. 129–146). The Guilford Press.

Wiederman, M. W., & Allgeier, E. R. (1992). Gender differences in mate selection criteria: Sociobiological or socioeconomic explanation. Ethology and Sociobiology, 13(2), 115-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/0162-3095(92)90021-U

Wilt, J., & Revelle, W. (2009). Extraversion. In M. R. Leary & R. H. Hoyle (Eds.), Handbook of individual differences in social behavior (pp. 27–45). The Guilford Press.

Worthington, E. L., Wade, N. G., Hight, T. L., Ripley, J. S., McCullough, M. E., Berry, J. W., Schmitt, M. M., Berry, J. T., Bursley, K. H., & O’Connor, L. (2003). The Religious Commitment Inventory--10: Development, refinement, and validation of a brief scale for research and counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50(1), 84–96. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.50.1.84

Zhan, Q., Chi, W., Iglesias, K. G., Yang, X., Xue, Y., Wang, H., Zhang, J., Lu, C., & Li, M. (2016). Impact of college students’ romantic relationship changes on reorientation of mate selection criteria. Asian Social Science, 12(12), 143. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v12n12p143