Summary A number of types of husband-wife interpersonal compatibility derived from Schutz's Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation inventory, or FIRO-B (14), were related to several measures of pair success in managing or dealing with occupational and life stresses. Types of compatibility included (a) interchange compatibility, (b) originator compatibility, and (c) reciprocal compatibility. The dependent variables were oriented towards mutual helping, open two-way communication, and effective joint problem solving. The data were obtained separately from husbands and their wives. In 55 pairs, the husband was a member of an engineering association; in 74 pairs, an industrial accountant; and in 61 pairs, a chartered accountant. Few occupational differences were found. The results indicated that husband-wife compatibility as measured by the FIRO-B was not strongly related to measures of stress management. The statistically significant correlations ranged between .15 and .25.
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Burke et al. (1974) studied this question.
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