The link between need frustration and empathic accuracy in romantic relationships

The frustration of relational needs is a common source of conflict in romantic relationships. Empathic accuracy (EA) defined as the ability to accurately perceive and understand a partner's thoughts and feelings plays a key role in resolving these conflicts. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that need frustration and EA are associated both within individuals and between romantic partners during actual conflict interactions. Data were analyzed from a lab-based conflict interaction study conducted in 2014, which included a video-mediated recall task. Results from two cross-sectional actor-partner interdependence models revealed that women's EA was positively associated with their male partner's need frustration at the start of the conflict, but this association was no longer present by the end. Additionally, women's EA was marginally negatively associated with their own need frustration at both the start and end of the conflict interaction. These findings highlight the complex and dynamic nature of the relationship of need frustration and EA during couples' actual conflict interactions. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms driving these associations over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).