
Researchers combined data from 43 longitudinal studies conducted by 29 laboratories and applied machine learning to predict relationship quality.
Some of the strongest relationship-specific predictors included perceived partner commitment, appreciation, sexual satisfaction, perceived partner satisfaction, and conflict.
But there was an interesting limitation.
Knowing many characteristics about both partners didn't suddenly make future changes in relationship quality easy to predict.
Relationships appear considerably harder to forecast than simple compatibility tests suggest.
Even large amounts of information about two people can't perfectly tell us where their relationship is heading.
© Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2020)