Regulating the Heart: Emotion Regulation and Satisfaction in Romantic Conflict

Abstract

Romantic relationships are a central source of emotional well-being, but conflicts between partners are inevitable and often emotionally intense. Emotion regulation (ER) is considered a key process in managing such conflicts. However, relatively little is known about how real-life conflict episodes are experienced and regulated outside of experimental settings. The current study investigated the relationship between emotional intensity and perceived situational control during romantic conflict, as well as how these factors relate to the use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies—specifically, cognitive reappraisal and acceptance—and their impact on post-conflict satisfaction. A sample of 131 adults currently in romantic relationships completed a retrospective questionnaire about a recent conflict with their partner. Results showed that higher emotional intensity leads to lower post-conflict satisfaction; however, no support was found for the mediating roles of cognitive reappraisal and acceptance. No support was found for the hypothesis that perceived control moderates the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and post-conflict satisfaction. These findings highlight the significance of emotional intensity in determining post-conflict satisfaction. This study also highlights the complexity of emotions and their regulation.