Igor Kardum

To explore how vocational self-concepts align with ideal partner preferences, we collected data from two Croatian heterosexual samples: 271 couples and 335 single participants. Using the same inventory, participants rated their own vocational interests and those desired in an ideal partner. We assessed trait-level and profile-level similarities between self and ideal-partner interests in both samples. In couples, we additionally examined actual partner congruence (similarity between one’s own and partner’s self-reported interests), ideals agreement (similarity between partners’ ideal-partner preferences), and partner–ideal congruence (the match between an individual’s ideal and their partner’s actual vocational interests). Results revealed both assortative (similar-to-self) and aspirational (higher-than-self) ideal-partner preferences. Gendered preferences followed a complementary pattern, aligned with established gender differences in vocational interests, most pronounced in women’s preferences for partners high in Realistic and Conventional interests, and in men’s preferences for partners high in Social and Artistic interests. Among couples, partner–ideal congruence showed a strong normative component, while its distinctive (couple-specific) component modestly predicted men’s relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that vocational interests meaningfully inform partner preferences among single and coupled individuals and contribute to relationship dynamics.

The study explored the predictive role of vocational interests in work-family conflict and work-family enrichment in 271 employed heterosexual couples. We administered questionnaires measuring vocational interests, time-based and strain-based work-family conflicts and work-family enrichment. Going beyond prior studies, we (a) utilized a dyadic paradigm to examine actor and partner effects of interest types, (b) considered two characteristics of the interest profile - differentiation and elevation, and (c) simultaneously tested (dis)similarity effects. Actor-partner interdependence modelling and dyadic response surface analysis were employed. The results revealed modest negative actor effects of Investigative, Social, and Enterprising interests on various types of work-family conflict, along with positive actor effects of Social, Enterprising and Conventional interests, profile elevation and differentiation on work-family enrichment. Partner effects supported the interpersonal relevance of people-oriented interest types. The effects obtained were similar for women and men, and evidence generally spoke against the (dis)similarity effects of interests on work-family conflict or enrichment. A higher educational level in women was associated with increased work-family enrichment but also family-work conflict. This study highlights the interdependence of vocational interests in romantic dyads and their contribution to work-family dynamics.

Objective: The current study investigated actor and partner effects and the effects of (dis)similarity in the dark triad traits on self‐reported relationship satisfaction of both members of romantic couples. We examined these effects on actual similarity, similarity of perception, and men's and women's perceived similarity.Methods: On the sample of 205 heterosexual romantic couples, we administered questionnaires for measuring self‐reported and partner‐reported psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism, as well as self‐reported relationship satisfaction. For analyzing data, we used dyadic response surface analysis.Results: The results corroborated our hypotheses that the dark triad traits exerted mainly negative actor and partner effects on both partners' relationship satisfaction. The effects of (dis)similarity were obtained for psychopathy and narcissism. Dissimilarity in psychopathy was related to lower men's relationship satisfaction. Dissimilarity in narcissism was related to lower, whereas similarity in this trait to higher relationship satisfaction of both partners. Generally, our findings were similar across methods and sources of assessment.Conclusion: The results suggest that the DT traits of both members of a romantic couple matter for judgments of their relationship satisfaction and that along with actor and partner effects, the effects of (dis)similarity in psychopathy and narcissism also contribute to their relationship satisfaction.

Mate poaching is “behavior intended to attract someone who is already in a romantic relationship.” We investigated actor and partner effects of the five-factor personality traits and the dark triad traits on several mate poaching experiences. We used actor-partner interdependence modeling with data secured from both members of 187 heterosexual married, cohabiting and dating couples from Croatia. In a round-robin design, each participant rated their own and their partner’s personality traits, and their own poaching experiences. The results showed that men’s lower agreeableness had the most consistent relationship with poaching experiences in both men (actor effects) and women (partner effects). The role of other personality traits from the five-factor model was limited to specific aspects of poaching. Regarding the dark triad traits, men’s psychopathy and Machiavellianism were the most consistently related to poaching experiences in both men and women, whereas narcissism did not demonstrate a consistent actor or partner effect on poaching. The results showed that men’s poaching is associated with their own personality traits, whereas women’s poaching with their own and their partner’s personality traits. We interpret the results in the context of life history theory and mate switching hypothesis.

The present study links the person–environment fit theory of vocational interests (VI) with the research on the selection of romantic partners. Empirically, we explore the assortment for VI in 215 heterosexual romantic partners. Using both the variable‐centered (VCA) and couple‐centered (CCA) approaches, we test the hypotheses on positive versus negative assortment, initial assortment versus convergence, and active assortment versus social homogamy. A modest to moderate positive assortment was found for Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, and Social interests but not Conventional interests, whereas evidence of couple similarity in Enterprising interests was less consistent. A moderate level of positive assortment was identified in couples when full interest profiles were evaluated. The results indicate an initial and active assortment rather than convergence or social homogamy effects. The analysis also shows that the assortment for interests represents an independent preference that cannot be easily seen as a by‐product of the assortment in the five‐factor personality traits. These findings highlight the importance of VI in the active selection of romantic partners. We discuss implications for future research and practice.