Partner-Rated Relational Humility and Observed State Humility in Couples’ Transitioning to Parenthood

Although numerous self-report measures of humility have been developed, no behavioral measure has been scientifically vetted. We examined partner-rated relational humility and coded behaviors indicating state humility in couples (N = 69) transitioning to parenthood. Observed state humility behaviors were coded by examining video-recorded problemfocused discussions with the Interactional Dimensions Coding System using five coded behaviors consistent with a definition of humility. Participants rated their partner’s relational humility and self-reported their own relationship satisfaction. Latent class analysis determined three classes of partner-rated relational humility and of observed state humility—high, medium, and low of both constructs. High partner-rated relational humility and observed state humility predicted relationship satisfaction in both Wave 1 and Wave 2 of data prior to and after the birth of the couple’s first child. Future research might examine additional behaviors and criterion variables that are associated with partner-rated relational humility and observed state humility. It also might study how class membership changes throughout a relationship marked by life transitions and stressors.