Abstract
Self-report data from 200 married couples were used to examine personal characteristics (i.e., extraversion, neuroticism, attachment-related anxiety and avoidance) and relationship properties (i.e., intimacy, commitment, marital conflict, and marital satisfaction) as determinants of supportive behaviours and perceptions of support availability within marital relationships. The data revealed that both personal and relational variables had important value in the prediction of support perceptions, support seeking, and support provision in marriage. Furthermore, relational predictors were found to explain more variability in spousal support than personal characteristics. Finally, results indicated that personal influences on support perceptions and support behaviours were less pronounced when relationship features were taken into account. In conclusion, the present research advocates in favour of a relationship perspective on social support in marriage.