These personality traits are
linked to a genetic variation that can be detected from a saliva sample.
linked to a genetic variation that can be detected from a saliva sample.
People who are emotionally
stable, empathetic and sociable have the happiest marriages, research finds.
stable, empathetic and sociable have the happiest marriages, research finds.
Low levels of anxious
attachment are also important to relationship satisfaction.
attachment are also important to relationship satisfaction.
In contrast, people high in
anxious attachment are ‘needy’ and worry that their partners do not care for
them.
anxious attachment are ‘needy’ and worry that their partners do not care for
them.
High levels of attachment
anxiety are also linked to a fear of abandonment.
anxiety are also linked to a fear of abandonment.
So, low levels of anxious
attachment are preferable in a partner.
attachment are preferable in a partner.
All these personality traits
are linked to a genetic variation that can be detected from a saliva sample,
new research has found.
are linked to a genetic variation that can be detected from a saliva sample,
new research has found.
The genetic variation affects
a neurotransmitter called oxytocin.
a neurotransmitter called oxytocin.
Oxytocin — sometimes known as
the ‘love hormone’ — is important in social bonding.
the ‘love hormone’ — is important in social bonding.
Researchers found that when
one partner in a marriage had this genetic variation linked to oxytocin, both
reported greater marital satisfaction and feelings of security.
one partner in a marriage had this genetic variation linked to oxytocin, both
reported greater marital satisfaction and feelings of security.
The conclusions come from a
study of 178 married couples aged 37 to 90.
study of 178 married couples aged 37 to 90.
All were asked about their
marital satisfaction and had their genotype analysed from a saliva sample.
marital satisfaction and had their genotype analysed from a saliva sample.
The results revealed that
those with a genetic variation known as the ‘GG genotype’ had higher marital
satisfaction.
those with a genetic variation known as the ‘GG genotype’ had higher marital
satisfaction.
Dr
Joan Monin, the study’s first author, said:
Joan Monin, the study’s first author, said:
“This study shows that how we
feel in our close relationships is influenced by more than just our shared
experiences with our partners over time. In marriage, people are also
influenced by their own and their partner’s genetic predispositions.”
feel in our close relationships is influenced by more than just our shared
experiences with our partners over time. In marriage, people are also
influenced by their own and their partner’s genetic predispositions.”
The study was published in the
journal PLOS ONE (Monin et al., 2019).
journal PLOS ONE (Monin et al., 2019).
SOURCE:
PSYBLOG
PSYBLOG
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.