The role of emotional intelligence and emotion recognition ability in romantic relationship satisfaction of adults varying in autistic-like traits

Abstract

Research suggests that emotional intelligence is important for relationship satisfaction. Some people face challenges with both romantic relationships and aspects of emotional intelligence, for example, autistic people. There has, however, been very limited research into these factors with non-clinical participants with varying levels of autistic like traits. This research aimed to investigate the extent to which both general emotional intelligence (EI) and the specific component of emotion recognition mediated the relationship between autistic-like traits and satisfaction with romantic relationships. A correlational design, with a general population sample, was used in two studies (study 1, n = 139; study 2, n = 183). The results of our studies found that higher emotional intelligence and emotion recognition were associated with higher relationship satisfaction and that those with higher numbers of autistic like traits had lower emotional intelligence and emotion recognition scores. Emotional intelligence, but not emotion recognition, mediated the relationship between autistic like traits and relationship satisfaction. The research provides novel insights into how emotional intelligence and autistic-like traits influence romantic relationship satisfaction and has implications for potential interventions.