Does dyadic coping mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and marital quality?

This study tested for the mediational effects of dyadic coping in the observed relationship between emotional intelligence, assessed both as ability and as trait, and quality of marital relations. We used a standard dyadic design involving 100 newlywed heterosexual couples who were assessed on EI measures along with measures of dyadic coping and perceived marital quality. Total dyadic coping, as well as dyadic coping of oneself and dyadic coping of partner, were observed to mediate the association between EI and marital quality. These data provide some support for the commonly held assumption that EI plays a role in marital relationships, as mediated by dyadic coping. However, whereas the individual appears to benefit from being emotionally intelligent, the benefit is not transmitted to the other partner in the relationship.