New directions in couple identity research

In couple relationships, each partner’s self-concept extends beyond individual boundaries, and both the partner and the relationship become part of oneself. Such extended identity is referred to as couple identity, and manifests as the perception of being a unit rather than a single individual. Social psychology research has given increasing attention to the theme of couple identity, providing evidence of the beneficial effects of couple identity on both partners’ well-being. Some issues, however, remain unclear, especially regarding the definition and operationalization of couple identity, and the factors that may explain or be associated with its development and maintenance. Five contributors will present current research on couple identity, illustrating new ways of operationalization and investigating unexplored associations of couple identity with partners’ individual characteristics and relational processes. These studies stem from different theoretical approaches and include different types of participants (partners in short-term and long-term relationships, and partners facing important life transitions) and research design (experimental, cross-sectional, longitudinal). The overall picture emerging from this symposium is that couple identity is an important component of the couple relationship experience, and it is associated with diverse aspects of partners’ psychological and relational functioning. Besides adding new knowledge on couple identity, this symposium will derive implications for both research and interventions.