The study was conducted using a sample of young adults aged between 18 and 25 years old who were in romantic relationships for more than six months. Participants completed an online survey that included measures of relationship quality and perceptions of their partners' reliability in various domains, including financial, emotional, and social support.
Participants completed questionnaires assessing their levels of emotional regulation, such as the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and the Big Five Inventory. The results showed that individuals who had higher levels of emotional regulation tended to report greater relational satisfaction and perceived partner reliability across all domains.
Further analysis revealed that these effects were mediated by the perceived level of stress in the relationship. Specifically, individuals with high emotional regulation reported lower levels of perceived stress in the relationship compared to those with low emotional regulation. This, in turn, led to increased feelings of trust and commitment toward their partners, which enhanced their overall relational satisfaction. Interestingly, this effect did not appear to be influenced by gender or age differences among the participants.
The findings suggest that the ability to manage one's emotions under pressure is critical for maintaining healthy and satisfying relationships. By learning how to effectively regulate our emotions, we can create a safer space for ourselves and our partners, allowing us to communicate openly and honestly without fear of judgment or retaliation.
The findings have important implications for our understanding of how emotional regulation impacts relational outcomes. Further research should explore how individual differences in emotion regulation, such as personality traits and cultural context, may influence these processes. Future studies could also investigate whether emotional regulation interventions can enhance relational quality and promote resilience during stressful times.
How does the ability to regulate emotions under pressure impact relational satisfaction and perceived partner reliability?
While some research suggests that individuals who can effectively control their feelings during stressful situations tend to have higher levels of relationship satisfaction, others claim that this may actually damage relational stability. This is because suppressing one's emotions can lead to an accumulation of negative thoughts and feelings that are likely to manifest as conflict in the long run. In contrast, allowing oneself to express feelings openly and constructively with a trusted partner can help strengthen the bond between two people.