Novelty seeking is an important aspect of human personality that can impact how individuals experience their romantic relationships as they age. This study examined whether novelty-seeking alignment between aging couples predicted relationship satisfaction. Participants were 162 heterosexual couples aged 60 years and older who had been married for at least 10 years. Novelty-seeking was measured using a questionnaire developed specifically for this study. Relationship satisfaction was assessed through self-report measures. The results indicated that couples whose partners shared similar levels of novelty-seeking experienced greater relationship satisfaction compared to those who did not.
The effect of novelty-seeking alignment on relationship satisfaction was stronger among couples with higher levels of commitment to one another. These findings suggest that novelty-seeking may play an important role in maintaining positive outcomes in long-term relationships.
According to the novelty-seeking theory, humans have an innate desire to seek out new experiences and information, which can be influenced by various factors such as genetics, environment, and life experiences. This trait has been shown to predict a range of behaviors and emotions, including risk-taking, exploration, creativity, and curiosity (Salgado et al., 2020). In the context of romantic relationships, novelty-seeking can manifest as a desire for variety in intimacy, sexuality, or other aspects of the relationship. It is also associated with lower relationship satisfaction when there are mismatches between partners' novelty-seeking tendencies (Bernstein & Ross, 2013; Fowers et al., 2014).
Little research has examined how novelty seeking impacts older adults' relationships, particularly in the context of their aging process.
Methodology
The current study sought to address this gap by investigating whether novelty-seeking alignment between aging couples predicted relationship satisfaction. Participants were recruited from a larger study involving community-dwelling older adults who had been married for at least 10 years (N 286 couples). They completed questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, levels of commitment to one another, and novelty-seeking tendencies using the Novelty Seeking Scale (Fowers et al., 2014).
They reported on their perceptions of relationship quality through self-report measures of relationship satisfaction and conflict resolution strategies.
Results
Mixed-effects models revealed that novelty-seeking alignment was positively associated with relationship satisfaction, even after controlling for age, gender, education level, and income. Specifically, couples whose partners shared similar levels of novelty-seeking reported higher levels of relationship satisfaction than those who did not.
The effect of novelty-seeking alignment on relationship satisfaction was stronger among couples with higher levels of commitment to one another. This suggests that while novelty-seeking may be an important factor contributing to relationship outcomes, its influence is moderated by other factors such as commitment. The findings highlight the importance of considering individual differences when examining relationship satisfaction in later life.
Implications
The results suggest that novelty seeking may play an important role in maintaining positive outcomes in long-term relationships, particularly among individuals who are highly committed to one another.
More research is needed to understand how novelty-seeking can impact other aspects of aging relationships, such as intimacy, sexuality, and communication. Moreover, future studies should consider additional predictors of novelty-seeking, such as personality traits, life experiences, and health status, which may interact with it to shape relationship satisfaction in older adults.
Understanding the nuances of novelty-seeking can help inform interventions aimed at promoting successful aging among older adults.
How does novelty-seeking alignment predict satisfaction in aging couples?
Novelty-seeking alignment is positively correlated with satisfaction in aging couples because it encourages exploration of new experiences and activities together. Couples who share the same level of interest in trying new things are more likely to enjoy a higher quality of life as they age. In addition, novelty-seeking can help maintain a sense of adventure and excitement in their relationship, which can contribute to greater satisfaction overall.