The concept of relational satisfaction is often defined as the degree to which one feels fulfilled in a relationship.
Maintaining this level of satisfaction is rarely ever a smooth process. There are many obstacles that couples have to overcome, including communication breakdowns, financial difficulties, disagreements about family matters, different expectations regarding career goals, and even differing political beliefs. In fact, studies show that there can be upwards of three major conflicts per month in even the most healthy relationships. And yet, despite these challenges, people manage to stay together for years, decades even. This raises the question, what internal factors support the maintenance of relational satisfaction?
One possible factor could be resilience. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to bounce back from difficult situations and to find solutions to problems. It has been found to correlate positively with relationship satisfaction, such that those who are more resilient report being less likely to experience conflict. This makes sense when you consider how resilience allows people to look past temporary issues and focus on their long-term goals, instead of getting bogged down by small arguments.
Resilience involves recognizing that no relationship is perfect and that it takes work to keep things going, meaning that individuals are better equipped to handle setbacks.
Another potential contributor is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence (EI) is the capacity to recognize, understand, and regulate one's own emotions, as well as those of others. Research indicates that EI promotes higher levels of intimacy between partners, which leads to greater satisfaction.
If two individuals both have high EI, they may be able to express themselves openly without fear of judgement or criticism. They also may be able to identify each other's needs and desires and respond appropriately, leading to a stronger bond. Those with low EI tend to struggle with communication, empathy, and conflict resolution, resulting in lower satisfaction levels.
Mutual respect can play an important role too. When couples treat each other with kindness and consideration, they feel valued, appreciated, and loved, even during times of stress or disagreement. Mutual respect involves listening actively, avoiding hurtful comments, apologizing sincerely for mistakes, and showing gratitude for contributions made towards the relationship. In fact, research has found that mutual respect can trump love itself in terms of its effect on relationship satisfaction. Even those who initially report loving each other but not respecting each other eventually fall out of love due to the lack of supportive behaviors.
A related concept is self-awareness. Self-aware individuals know their strengths and weaknesses, including how they tend to react under pressure. This awareness allows them to approach difficult conversations with honesty, humility, and empathy, rather than from a place of defensiveness or anger. It also enables them to take responsibility for their actions and seek forgiveness when necessary. Moreover, it encourages them to work together as a team, since each person recognizes where they excel and where they need help.
If one individual struggles with finances, the other could step up to handle budgeting responsibilities.
There is commitment. Commitment is an agreement between partners to stay together, regardless of challenges faced. It provides a sense of security and stability, which contributes to contentment and trust within the relationship. Research shows that commitment may be more important than passion in predicting long-term satisfaction.
Couples who make plans for the future, such as buying a home or having children, tend to have higher levels of satisfaction, likely because these goals require joint effort and cooperation.
Maintaining relational satisfaction despite recurring challenges requires several internal factors. Resilience, emotional intelligence, mutual respect, self-awareness, and commitment can all contribute to this goal. By understanding these concepts, couples can work together to overcome obstacles and create a strong foundation for lasting love and happiness.
What internal factors support the maintenance of relational satisfaction despite recurring challenges?
Relational satisfaction is maintained through various internal factors such as mutual respect, trust, commitment, communication, understanding, and compromise. These factors help individuals to overcome recurrent challenges by enabling them to express their needs, feelings, and concerns openly and honestly. Mutual respect encourages both partners to value each other's opinions, beliefs, and perspectives, while trust allows for a safe environment where they can share their vulnerabilities without fear of rejection.