Are self-report measures of dyadic relationships influenced by impression management biases?

This study systematically examined the effects of impression management biases on the reporting of dyadic relationship information. In an anonymous mail survey, 196 participants (101 women, 95 men) in marital or cohabiting relationships completed a measure of impression management and several relationship measures. Analyses indicated that impression management biases did not affect women's self-reports. Among men, impression management biases were significantly associated with many of their reports about their relationships. However, statistically controlling for these biases did not reduce the magnitude of correlations between measures of marital quality and the other relationship measures. Furthermore, partners' agreement about observable aspects of their relationship did not change when the influences of these biases were statistically removed. The authors conclude that researchers can generally trust in the veridicality of anonymous self-report data about commonplace aspects of marriage.