5.3

Reliability and Validity of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Instrument

Personality typology, emotional needs, and romantic relationship stability in Chinese college students: A cultural perspective on MBTI dynamics


Li, J., Fang, G., & Li, Y. (2025).
Personality typology, emotional needs, and romantic relationship stability in Chinese college students: A cultural perspective on MBTI dynamics.
Acta Psychologica , 258, Article 105248.

This study investigates the relationship between MBTI® personality types, emotional needs, and relationship stability among college students (n = 110) from a university in Northwest China. This study utilized a quantitative research design to explore the relationship between MBTI personality type preferences and emotional dynamics in romantic relationships, focusing on emotional needs, conflict resolution, and communication styles.

The findings reveal significant differences in emotional needs across the MBTI types than we might predict, such as NT types in this sample demonstrate a greater focus on intellectual connection, while NF types prioritize emotional intimacy and psychological support. Not as obvious, however, is the impact of cultural context on personality type expression in relationships, which the authors analyze and discuss at length.

The authors note that in Western contexts, there is a strong emphasis on personal self-actualization within romantic relationships. They noted that the expression of these needs in China is often channeled through culturally sanctioned pathways rather than direct personal disclosure, reflecting the influence of collectivist values.

A great example offered is emotional expression of NT types in romantic relationships. Western NT types are typically characterized by high emotional stability, attributed to their rational, analytical approach to relationship challenges, yet the current research results indicated that Chinese NT types exhibited lower emotional stability in romantic relationships. The authors suggest this discrepancy may be explained in part by the cultural context to maintain relational harmony and “face” in Chinese society which may cause tension in NT types. In addition, the need to suppress direct confrontation and emotional expression may undermine the emotional resilience typically observed in Western NTs, highlighting the moderating effect of cultural norms.


ARTICLE PERMALINK: https://www.myersbriggs.org/research-and-library/journal-psychological-type/personality-typology-emotional-needs-and-romantic-relationship-stability-in-chinese-college-students/

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Journal of Psychological Type® Research Digest (JPT-RD) is made available through Myers & Briggs Foundation, worldwide publisher. The editorial team includes Kesstan Blandin, PhD, Logan Abbitt, MLIS, and Purnima Sims.

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Myers & Briggs Foundation carries the legacy of Isabel Briggs Myers and the MBTI® instrument through our mission to educate the public about psychological type—including its ethical, meaningful, and practical applications—and to conduct research on psychological type and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) instrument. The JPT-RD, published annually, is a publication that highlights research and ideas in the field of psychological type, the MBTI Instrument, and Jungian thought.

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