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The link between need frustration and empathic accuracy in romantic relationships
Aurelia Lilly Scharmer1, Lara Stas1, William Ickes2
1Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University.
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|June 2, 2025
Summary
Need frustration in romantic relationships is linked to empathic accuracy (EA). Women's EA initially correlated with partners' frustration, but this connection faded during conflict, showing dynamic relationship patterns.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Relationship Science
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Relational needs frustration is a significant conflict source in romantic partnerships.
- Empathic accuracy (EA), the ability to perceive a partner's internal state, is crucial for conflict resolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between need frustration and empathic accuracy within individuals and between partners during conflict.
- To examine the dynamic interplay of need frustration and EA during actual couple conflict interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a 2014 lab-based conflict interaction study.
- Employed a video-mediated recall task to capture interaction dynamics.
- Analyzed data using cross-sectional actor-partner interdependence models.
Main Results:
- Women's EA positively correlated with their male partner's need frustration at the conflict's onset.
- This association diminished by the conflict's conclusion.
- Women's EA showed a marginal negative association with their own need frustration throughout the interaction.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between need frustration and empathic accuracy is complex and changes dynamically during couple conflicts.
- Further research is required to understand the mechanisms underlying these evolving associations over time.
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