Couple complementarity and similarity: A review of the literature

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Abstract
This review examines couple complementarity and similarity, and their relationship to dyadic adjustment, from three perspectives: social/psychological research, clinical populations research, and the observations of family therapists. Methodological criticisms are discussed suggesting that the evidence for a relationship between similarity and attraction/satisfaction has been erroneously overstated. The views of family theorists emphasizing the role of complementary structures in dyads are presented, as well as a model of “failed” complementarity as a source of marital dissatisfaction. The few clinical studies available indicate that similarity is associated with marital success and is less associated with marital instability and divorce. Evidence suggests that dissimilarity per se is associated with instability and divorce. Within troubled dyads, there is some implication of a mechanism of stability-maintaining complementarity, as well as spousal differences in level of general emotionalism. Clinicians are cautioned that in spite of their continuing intrigue with complementarity, and the acknowledged methodological problems in this area, there remains more evidence for the relationship of similarity to couple attraction and satisfaction.

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