Emotional Intelligence, Attachment and Satisfaction with Romantic Relationships among Young Adults: A Brief Report

Abstract

This study tested the roles emotional intelligence (EI) and attachment styles play in accounting for satisfaction with romantic relationships. It was hypothesized that attachment styles will moderate the association between EI and satisfaction. A sample of 175 young adults living in Israel took measures of EI, attachment styles and satisfaction with romantic relationships. Stepwise regression analysis supported the hypotheses: EI at first did not correlate with satisfaction, but once attachment style was introduced into the model, EI showed a positive association with satisfaction, while both measures of avoidance and anxiety (the two axes of attachment styles) showed a negative association with the same measure. The results are discussed in light of existing evidence and future directions for research and practice are mentioned.