I’m ready if you are: self-esteem moderates couples’ accuracy and bias in perceptions of commitment readiness

When is it the “right time” to be in a relationship? Research has shown that perceptions of timing – how ready one feels for a committed relationship – could drive pro-relationship behaviors aimed at strengthening an existing relationship. Having positive and accurate perceptions of a partner’s commitment readiness could then facilitate a more positive relational self associated with their partner, and better relationship maintenance processes. Using the Truth and Bias model, we examined couples’ accuracy and bias in perceiving each other’s commitment readiness. Given the importance of the self in shaping relational processes, we also hypothesized that self-esteem could moderate truth and bias effects concerning a partner’s commitment readiness. Preliminary findings from a cross-sectional study revealed that while individuals tend to underestimate their partner’s commitment readiness, they were still significantly accurate in their perceptions. They also projected their own commitment readiness onto perceptions of their partners’ readiness. Finally, a significant interaction effect between own readiness and self-esteem indicated that the projection effect was stronger among individuals with higher self-esteem than among those with lower self-esteem. Future directions and limitations in self and relationships research are discussed.