Test Result
Moderate Dyadic Adjustment
“Your relationship is functional and caring, though you may face recurring friction in specific areas of consensus or intimacy.”
Your overall pattern
Your results fall into the Moderate Dyadic Adjustment range. This is the most common profile for long-term couples. It suggests that while the foundation of your relationship is solid—you are likely committed and generally satisfied—there are specific "rooms" in your relationship house that need renovation.
You may have high Cohesion (you do things together) but lower Consensus (you argue about money or values), or vice versa. The psychological term for this is a "Functional" partnership: it works, but it may feel like more effort than it needs to be at times.
"A moderate score is not a failure; it is a map. It highlights exactly where the bridge between you needs reinforcing."
Typical behaviors
- Compartmentalized Conflict: You get along great on weekends (recreation) but clash on weekdays (chores/finances).
- Silent Compromise: One of you may be "going along to get along" rather than truly agreeing, leading to low-level resentment.
- Variable Intimacy: Affection might fluctuate wildly depending on stress levels, rather than being a constant source of comfort.
Strengths in this pattern
- Key: Commitment: Despite friction, your scores suggest you are both staying in the room. This persistence is a massive strength.
- Key: Shared History: You likely have enough Dyadic Cohesion to enjoy each other's company when the pressure is off.
Common pitfalls
The danger of the "Good Enough" trap:
- Drift: Moderate couples often drift apart slowly because the problems aren't "bad enough" to force a crisis, but they erode intimacy over time.
- Scorekeeping: You might find yourself calculating "I did this, so you should do that," which kills the spirit of generosity.
"Reflection point: Which recurring argument are we having simply because we haven't sat down to find the root cause?"
What you can do next
Small actions you can start today
- The Weekly State of the Union: Set aside 20 minutes a week to discuss logistics only, so they don't bleed into your date nights.
- Appreciation Audit: For every negative comment, force yourself to make five positive ones (the 5:1 ratio).
Longer-term directions
- Values Alignment: Revisit your Dyadic Consensus. Take time to write down your top 3 values individually and compare them. Where can you find a middle ground?
- Relationship Education: This profile responds very well to books or workshops (e.g., "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work").
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This test describes patterns of adjustment based on your self-report. It is for educational purposes and is not a clinical diagnosis. If you feel stuck in a cycle of conflict that you cannot break on your own, couples counseling is highly effective for this profile.