A typological approach to analyzing psychological compatibility in romantic relationships

Background. Analyses of compatibility in romantic relationships are still largely grounded in individual traits and subjective measures of relationship satisfaction. Yet relationships are, by nature, a dyadic phenomenon. The widespread use of typological models (particularly socionics) in applied settings such as matchmaking and couple counseling reflects a strong practical interest in structural compatibility despite the weak empirical grounding of these models.

Purpose. To present and test a dimensional (scale-based) approach to analyzing the stability and comfort of romantic relationships through the lens of partner typological dispositions.

Materials and methods. The study draws on statistical data collected through the authors’ applied consultation and typological diagnostics work between 2015 and 2023. The sample included 95 married or long-term partnered couples, with available data on both personality types and relationship duration. Indicators of intertype compatibility were computed, along with correlations between typological traits in stable partnerships.

Results. The findings support the replicability of certain structural patterns of compatibility described in socionics literature (notably in the work of Bukalov and Filatova). At the same time, the analysis shows that differences in some traits (e.g., static vs. dynamic temperament) and similarities in others (e.g., irrationality vs. rationality, subjectivism vs. objectivism) are significantly associated with greater relationship stability. The limitations of the classical intertype model are discussed, and an alternative path is proposed: developing a trait-based model of compatibility grounded in actual partner dispositions and empirical verification. The article outlines a conceptual transition from categorical typologies to a differential-psychological, scale-based framework for understanding compatibility.