Childhood Psychological Maltreatment and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction: The Roles of Relationship Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence

Childhood psychological maltreatment may be associated with difficulties in attaining satisfaction in adult romantic relationships. The present study aimed to examine the indirect associations between childhood psychological maltreatment and romantic relationship satisfaction involving relationship mindfulness and emotional intelligence. A total of 459 Turkish individuals (308 women and 151 men), all currently involved in a romantic relationship, participated in the study. Structural equation modeling indicated significant indirect associations between childhood psychological maltreatment and romantic relationship satisfaction involving relationship mindfulness and emotional intelligence. Higher levels of childhood psychological maltreatment were associated with lower levels of relationship mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and romantic relationship satisfaction. Longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to clarify the temporal ordering of these variables and determine whether interventions addressing mindfulness and emotional competencies can improve romantic relationship satisfaction.