POSITIVE ILLUSIONS DI COPPIA: COSA LE PROMUOVE E QUALI SONO I LORO EFFETTI SUL BENESSERE? RISULTATI DI UNA RICERCA EMPIRICA.

[Autom. eng. transl.] Introduction The perceptions that individuals have of themselves are often not accurate but tend to be positively distorted. The most common cognitive distortions also include positive illusions (Taylor and Brown, 1988) that involve an excessively positive self-assessment, exaggerated perceptions of control and unrealistic optimism about the future. Empirical research has shown that individuals also apply positive illusions to their couple relationships (Rusbult at al., 2000). Research has shown that positive illusions are a crucial component of the couple's relationship as they promote well-being and couple satisfaction. Objectives and Methods A first aim of the present work was to expand the research on the topic of positive couple illusions by identifying the factors that can promote or hinder their development. In particular, the study focused on the following constructs: at the relational level the perception that the partners have of the centrality of their relationship and, at the contextual level, the positive illusions that the partners have towards their own family of origin and the intrusive parenting. A second goal was to deepen the adaptive function of positive illusions, analyzing the link as well as relational wellbeing, even with the individual one. Specifically, the following hypotheses have been verified: 1) both the centrality of the couple's relationship to one's own self and the positive illusions relating to one's family of origin predict positive couple illusions. 2) Intrusive parenting moderates the relationship between positive illusions relating to the family and positive illusions of the couple. 3) Positive illusions predict both relational and individual well-being. 359 couples participated in the study. The data were analyzed through Structural equation models. Results and conclusions The results show that the more a couple's relationship plays a central role in their identity, the more people perceive their relationship as positive. Moreover, the positive relationship between positive illusions of one's own family and positive illusions of a couple shows how there is a relationship of continuity between family variables and variables related to the intimate relationships of the children; however the study shows that it is important to consider the specific family context of each couple: in intrusive families in fact the process of continuity of positive illusions between generations is interrupted. Finally, positive illusions are confirmed as an important factor in promoting well-being at a relational and individual level.