Predicting Couple Relationship Quality from Adult Attachment and Emotional Intelligence: The Mediating Role of Empathic Communication

Sophie Krier; Laura Evans; Tomas Jankauskas

Authors

Sophie Krier Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9038-3211
Laura Evans Department of Cognitive Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8002-4576
Tomas Jankauskas Department of Health Psychology, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6174-2284

Keywords:

adult attachment, emotional intelligence, empathic communication, couple relationship quality, romantic relationships, mediation, structural equation modeling

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to predict couple relationship quality from adult attachment and emotional intelligence and to examine the mediating role of empathic communication in these associations.

Methods and Materials: The study employed a cross-sectional correlational design. The statistical population consisted of adults involved in committed romantic relationships and residing in Canada. A total of 384 participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Adult attachment was assessed using the Experiences in Close Relationships–Revised questionnaire, emotional intelligence using the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, empathic communication using an empathic communication measure, and couple relationship quality using the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. The significance of indirect effects was evaluated through bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples and 95% confidence intervals.

Findings: Attachment anxiety significantly predicted lower empathic communication (β = -.24, p < .001) and lower couple relationship quality (β = -.19, p < .001), while attachment avoidance also significantly predicted lower empathic communication (β = -.31, p < .001) and lower relationship quality (β = -.23, p < .001). Emotional intelligence positively predicted empathic communication (β = .43, p < .001) and couple relationship quality (β = .24, p < .001). Empathic communication positively predicted relationship quality (β = .45, p < .001). Significant indirect effects through empathic communication were observed for attachment anxiety (β = -.11, 95% CI [-.16, -.07]), attachment avoidance (β = -.14, 95% CI [-.20, -.09]), and emotional intelligence (β = .19, 95% CI [.14, .25]). The model explained 56.8% of the variance in empathic communication and 63.7% of the variance in couple relationship quality.

Conclusion: Adult attachment insecurity and emotional intelligence are important predictors of couple relationship quality, and empathic communication partially mediates these relationships, indicating that emotionally responsive communication is a key interpersonal mechanism linking individual emotional characteristics to romantic relationship functioning.

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