Relationship Satisfaction as a Function of Perceived Similarity in Religious and Political Beliefs and Identity Accommodation

ABSTRACT Guided by communication accommodation theory (CAT), this study examined whether young adults’ perceptions of similarity in their religious and political beliefs with a parent and grandparent were associated with young adults’ relationship satisfaction, as well as how identity accommodation from the older family member moderated these associations. Perceived similarity was not associated with relationship satisfaction at the main-effects level. However, perceptions of parent religious accommodation, parent political accommodation, and grandparent political accommodation moderated the associations between perceived similarity and relationship satisfaction. The study contributes to CAT by delineating the contingencies under which perceived similarity may be associated with relational health.