Mindfulness and romantic relationship quality: mediating effects on different facets of anger

This study investigated the role of anger expression and control in the relationships between mindfulness and romantic relationship quality. 237 emerging adults (167 females and 70 males) who had been in a relationship for at least three weeks (range = 3 weeks − 84 months) completed a set of questionnaires that assessed mindfulness, anger expression and control, and romantic relationship quality. Mediation analysis demonstrated that anger control strategies, which involve attempts to remain calm and reduce angry feelings mediated the relationship between mindfulness and romantic relationship quality. Bootstrap analyses also revealed that anger expression did not play a mediating role in the association between mindfulness and romantic relationship quality. A higher level of mindfulness may contribute to romantic relationship quality via increased anger control, but not via expressing anger externally or internally. The importance of examining different facets of anger and mindfulness and the implications for intervention programmes are discussed.