Personality typology, emotional needs, and romantic relationship stability in Chinese college students

A cultural perspective on MBTI dynamics

Bibliographic Data

ID9405689
AuthorsJiaxin Li (0000-0003-2251-8815, Xi'an International Studies University, corresponding author), Gu Fang (0009-0005-9751-0035), Fang Gu (0000-0002-8181-2822, Northwest University), Yiyang Li (0000-0002-2523-7675, Changchun University)
Year2025
Volume258
Pages105248-105248
Publication date2025-07-07
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueActa Psychologica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105248
PMID40627980
OpenAlexW4412074018
LanguageEN
References cited19

This study investigates the relationship between MBTI personality types, emotional needs, and relationship stability among college students from a university in Northwest China. A total of 110 participants were surveyed, and the MBTI type distribution (with INFJ, ENFP, and ISFP being most prevalent) is reported as a descriptive feature of this specific sample. The findings reveal significant differences in emotional needs across MBTI types: NT types in this sample demonstrate a greater focus on intellectual connection, while NF types prioritize emotional intimacy and psychological support. Emotional needs were positively correlated with emotional support, which in turn predicted relationship stability. Structural equation modeling further indicated that gender and personality interactions influence emotional stability, with distinct patterns observed among NT, SJ, and SP types. A U-shaped pattern of emotional stability across academic years was identified, with freshmen showing the highest levels, declining in juniors, and slightly recovering in seniors. These results underscore the importance of considering both personality and cultural context in relationship counseling. The study suggests that MBTI-based interventions tailored to emotional needs may enhance relationship satisfaction and stability, particularly in collectivist societies like China, where emotional expression and support differ from Western contexts. Given the limited and regionally specific sample, these findings should be interpreted with caution and not generalized to the broader population. The results provide a foundation for future research exploring the long-term and cross-cultural dynamics of MBTI-based emotional needs and relationship development

Dynamics (music · Personality · Perspective (graphical · Psychoanalysis · Romance · Sociology · Typology · Anthropology · Emotional Labor in Professions · Emotions and Moral Behavior · Personality Traits and Psychology · Psychology · Social Psychology

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