Emotional awareness and couples' relationship satisfaction.

doi:10.1111/J.1752-0606.2002.TB00368.X

Paper

Emotional awareness and couples' relationship satisfaction.

Published Oct 1, 2002 · K. Croyle, Jennifer L. Waltz

Journal of marital and family therapy

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108

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3

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Abstract

This study examined the role of emotional awareness in couples' relationships and the effects of a tendency to respond to difficult couples' situations with "soft" emotions (including sadness and fear) versus "hard" emotions (including anger and resentment). Participants were 56 heterosexual couples who completed a measure of relationship satisfaction and two measures of emotional awareness, including one that was developed as part of this study. Results indicated that women were more emotionally aware than men in response to couples' situations, but not in response to general situations outside the relationship. In addition, higher levels of emotional awareness and a higher awareness of "hard" emotions were associated with decreased relationship satisfaction for women, but not for men. Discrepancy between partners' levels of awareness was related to lower satisfaction for both men and women.

Observational Study

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Study Snapshot

Higher emotional awareness in couples' situations is associated with decreased satisfaction for women, but not for men, and discrepancies between partners' levels of awareness contribute to lower satisfaction for both genders.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Emotional awareness and couples' relationship satisfaction.

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