Social-Emotional Ability and Relationship Satisfaction in Marriage: The Roles of Partner Consensus and Commitment

Although social-emotional abilities may support couple functioning, less is known about how they covary with relational appraisals relevant to couple therapy. Using cross-sectional self-report data from 2139 married adults in the United States, this study estimated a structural equation model linking social-emotional ability, perceived partner consensus, dedication commitment, and relationship satisfaction. The gender-adjusted model included 2137 participants. Social-emotional ability was positively associated with perceived consensus. Consensus was positively associated with commitment and satisfaction, and commitment was positively associated with satisfaction. The direct association between social-emotional ability and satisfaction was not significant after accounting for consensus and commitment. Specific indirect associations through consensus alone and sequentially through consensus and commitment were statistically significant. Because all constructs were assessed concurrently by one spouse, the findings do not establish temporal mediation or couple-level processes. The results identify perceived consensus and commitment as potentially relevant domains for assessment and future longitudinal, dyadic research.