Can Deficits in Emotional Intelligence Explain the Negative Relationship Between Abandonment Schema and Marital Quality?

Abstract

Objective To determine whether the harmful effects of abandonment schema on marital quality can be attributed to low trait emotional intelligence in a sample of Iranian couples. Background Research has demonstrated that maladaptive schemas are related to various indicators of marital quality; however, little is known about the mechanisms underlying these relationships. In this study, we use maladaptive schema theory to propose that the harmful effects of abandonment schema on marital quality can be attributed to low trait emotional intelligence. Method Data were collected from a sample of 123 married couples from Iran. Participants completed a series of questionnaires designed to measure maladaptive schemas, trait emotional intelligence, and marital quality. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the hypothesized indirect effect. Results Results indicate that abandonment schema is negatively associated with several indicators of marital quality via the mediating effects of trait emotional intelligence. Conclusion We conclude that trait emotional intelligence can account for the negative relationships between abandonment schema and spousal ratings of marital satisfaction, communication satisfaction, and conflict resolution satisfaction in a sample of Iranian couples. Implications Couple therapists should consider emotion‐focused techniques when treating couples where one or both partners present with abandonment schema.