According to structural family therapy, what term describes the positive fit between two individuals with different personalities, such as an outgoing partner and a quiet listener?

The term that describes the positive fit between two individuals with different personalities, such as an outgoing partner and a quiet listener, is complementarity. This concept in structural family therapy emphasizes how diverse traits and characteristics can interact in a way that enhances the dynamics of a relationship. In a complementary relationship, each partner's qualities fulfill a necessary role that supports the partnership, leading to a functional and balanced interaction. For example, the outgoing partner may energize the quieter partner, while the quieter partner can provide grounding and stability, creating a supportive environment for both individuals.

Differentiation refers to the process of maintaining one's identity while also being part of a relationship, which is not specifically about the interaction of different personalities. Equifinality relates to the idea that different paths can lead to the same outcome, which does not apply directly to personality dynamics within a partnership. Subsystem refers to smaller groups within the family system, which does not specifically highlight the interaction between individual personalities as seen in complementarity.