The primary purpose of this article is to investigate how sexual support, defined as providing physical and emotional support during sex, impacts intimate partner conflict resolution and cooperative functioning. Emotional intelligence (EI), described as the ability to perceive, appraise, understand, and manage one's own and others' emotions, plays an essential role in these processes. This investigation highlights the importance of both sexual support and EI for healthy relationship dynamics.
Sexual support has been found to improve communication between partners and foster feelings of closeness and trust during sex. This can lead to increased problem-solving abilities, empathy, and understanding between partners.
When a couple engages in open communication about their desires and needs during sex, they are more likely to negotiate effectively and reach compromises.
Sexual support can help individuals regulate their emotions and express themselves honestly, leading to better conflict management skills.
EI also contributes to positive outcomes in relationships. Individuals who possess high levels of EI tend to be more self-aware, emotionally aware of others, and able to handle difficult situations effectively. They are also less likely to experience negative emotions such as anger or frustration that may interfere with relationship functioning.
High EI individuals have greater empathy and emotional validation skills, which facilitate effective communication and mutual understanding. Thus, EI can enhance the effectiveness of sexual support by enabling couples to communicate more openly and constructively.
In sum, sexual support and EI are critical components of successful intimate partner relationships. When combined, they provide a solid foundation for conflict resolution and cooperative functioning. By addressing each other's emotional needs and managing conflicts effectively, couples can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships over time.
How does sexual support interact with emotional intelligence to improve conflict resolution and cooperative functioning in intimate partnerships?
Research suggests that sexual support plays an important role in improving conflict resolution and cooperative functioning in intimate partnerships (Rusbult & Syrett, 2016). Specifically, individuals who report high levels of sexual satisfaction tend to experience less relationship distress than those who do not (Lloyd et al. , 2019).