Emotional intelligence (EI), conflict resolution patterns, and relationship satisfaction: Actor and partner effects revisited

This study tested for actor and partner effects in the relationship between ability-based EI and adaptive marital relationships and satisfaction employing a standard dyadic design involving 100 young heterosexual couples. Participants were assessed on the MSCEIT along with measures of conflict resolution patterns and perceived marital satisfaction. A series of path analyses provided support for actor effects—but not partner effects—in the association of EI, assessed as ability, and marital variables. Overall, the data provide only partial support for the common claim and some prior research suggesting that EI plays a pivotal role in marital relationships.

► Use of a standard dyadic design to assess the EI-marital conflict nexus. ► Employing an ability-based measure of EI. ► Assessing relationship between EI similarity and marital outcomes. ► Assessing meditational effects of marital conflict in the EI-outcome relationship.