Mate-value and relationship satisfaction: The moderating roles of mate retention behaviors.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional observational survey study across two independent samples
PubMed 35041697 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0262154
What was done
The study assessed the moderating role of individual and coalitional mate retention behaviors on the relationship between partner mate value and relationship satisfaction. A total of 754 heterosexual adults (416 women) in committed relationships from two independent Iranian samples completed self-report measures of relationship satisfaction, their partner's mate value, individual mate retention frequency, and requested coalitional mate retention frequency.
What was found
The abstract reports directional findings without numerical values, test statistics, or effect sizes. Partner mate value, individual Benefit-Provisioning mate retention, and coalitional Benefit-Provisioning mate retention behaviors were positively associated with relationship satisfaction. Individual and coalitional Cost-Inflicting mate retention behaviors were negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. Mate retention behaviors moderated the association between mate value and relationship satisfaction.
Why it matters
The study replicates and extends evolutionary psychology findings on mate retention behaviors to a non-WEIRD (Iranian) population, highlighting differential associations of benefit-provisioning versus cost-inflicting tactics on relationship satisfaction.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional and relies entirely on self-reports, preventing causal inference. No quantitative metrics or effect sizes are provided in the abstract. The sample was restricted to heterosexual individuals in committed relationships in Iran, which may limit generalizability to other populations or relationship types.