INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, RELATIONAL SATISFACTION AMONG INTIMATE PARTNERS

Romantic relationships significantly impact individuals' mental health, emotional well-being, and life satisfaction. Effective communication, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution are critical to maintaining relational harmony. However, contemporary challenges, including technology use and work-life balance, complicate relationship dynamics, necessitating a deeper exploration of these factors. This study investigates the interplay between communication patterns, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution techniques, and relational satisfaction in intimate relationships. The objectives include identifying key communication strategies, exploring the role of emotional intelligence, analyzing the impact of technology-mediated communication, and understanding the balance between work-life and relational satisfaction. A qualitative, exploratory design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 25 couples (N=50). The data were collected through guided discussions on communication styles, emotional intimacy, conflict resolution, and relationship satisfaction. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software to identify key themes and subthemes. The study revealed six major themes: effective communication, emotional intimacy, conflict resolution, technology-mediated communication, work-life balance, and relational satisfaction. Active listening, empathy, and open communication emerged as pivotal for fostering intimacy and satisfaction. Technology-mediated communication demonstrated both benefits and challenges, while work-life balance significantly influenced relational harmony. This research underscores the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence, balanced communication strategies, and effective conflict resolution to enhance relationship dynamics. The innovative application of blockchain technology concepts in managing relational conflicts was also noted as a novel approach to selective information sharing. Future studies should examine the long-term impacts of technology-mediated communication, delve into diverse relational contexts, and develop interventions that integrate emotional intelligence and conflict resolution strategies to strengthen intimate relationships.