The Role of Dyadic Emotional Intelligence in Predicting Sexual Satisfaction, Emotional Intimacy, and Marital Stability
Keywords:
Dyadic emotional intelligence, sexual satisfaction, emotional intimacy, marital stability, thematic analysis, semi-structured interviewAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to explain the perceived role of dyadic emotional intelligence in shaping sexual satisfaction, emotional intimacy, and marital stability among married couples living in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: This qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. The participants were 24 married individuals, including 12 women and 12 men from 12 married couples residing in Tehran. They were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation in age, length of marriage, educational level, and socioeconomic status. Data were collected only through individual semi-structured interviews. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached; saturation occurred in the twentieth interview, and four additional interviews were conducted to ensure data adequacy. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo 14 software. The analytic process followed the phases of thematic analysis: familiarization with data, initial coding, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and report writing.
Findings: Five main categories emerged from the data: “shared emotional awareness and affect labeling,” “mutual emotion regulation and conflict repair,” “safe sexual communication and sexual satisfaction,” “empathic responsiveness and emotional intimacy,” and “active commitment and marital stability.” The findings indicated that couples with a stronger ability to recognize, express, regulate, and validate their own and their partner’s emotions reported more satisfying sexual relationships, greater emotional closeness, and a more stable perception of the future of their marriage.
Conclusion: Dyadic emotional intelligence was not merely an individual trait but a relational and interactional capacity. Through emotional dialogue, reduced reactivity, greater safety in expressing sexual needs, and strengthened active commitment, dyadic emotional intelligence contributed to the improvement of marital quality and stability.
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References
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