Effect of Rejection Sensitivity and Emotional Intimacy on Relationship Satisfaction- Mediating Role of Emotional Intimacy

Abstract

Romantic relationships are a fundamental aspect of human experience. They are some of the most significant and complex social ties. The aim was to study the effect of rejection sensitivity and emotional intimacy on relationship satisfaction with emotional intimacy as a mediator. Emotional intimacy encourages feelings of trust, understanding, and closeness between partners, which in turn creates a sense of security and stability in the relationship, therefore, it made intuitive sense to take emotional intimacy as a mediator. For this data was collected from 201 individuals with 50 each belonging to four different groups namely; dating for a minimum of 2 years, married for 1-5 years, married for 10-15 years, and married for 20-25 years. Rejection Sensitivity was measured using Adult Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, Emotional Intimacy was measured using Emotional Intimacy Scale and Relationship Satisfaction was measured using Relationship Assessment Scale. The data was analyzed using correlation, independent t-test, ANOVA, post-hoc, regression and mediating analysis. It was found that rejection sensitivity has a significant negative relationship with relationship satisfaction for dating a minimum of two years group and married for 10-15 years group whereas emotional intimacy has a significant positive relationship with relationship satisfaction across all four durations. Rejection sensitivity also differed across all four groups whereas emotional intimacy and relationship satisfaction were consistent across all four durations. There were no gender differences but there was difference between parents and non-parents across rejection sensitivity, emotional intimacy, and relationship satisfaction. Also, the effect of rejection sensitivity on relationship satisfaction is partially mediated by emotional intimacy.