The Role of Cognitive and Emotional Empathy in the Quality of Couples’ Relationship
Keywords:
Cognitive empathy, Emotional empathy, Relationship quality, Marital intimacy, Couple therapyAbstract
This study aimed to explain the role of cognitive and emotional empathy in enhancing the quality of couples’ relationships. This research employed a qualitative review design using content analysis. Data were collected through a systematic review of 15 valid national and international scientific articles selected purposively until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was conducted through three-stage coding (open, axial, and selective) using NVivo software version 14 to extract the conceptual patterns linking empathy to relationship quality. The findings indicated that cognitive empathy strengthens the cognitive foundation of marital relationships through perspective-taking, modifying dysfunctional relational beliefs, reducing cognitive biases, and improving joint decision-making. Emotional empathy enhances emotional stability by regulating emotions, promoting emotional attunement, establishing emotional security, and repairing emotional bonds after conflicts. The interaction of these two components significantly improves intimacy, trust, marital satisfaction, commitment, and couples’ resilience while preventing emotional erosion of the relationship. Cognitive and emotional empathy are fundamental constructs in the health, stability, and quality of couples’ relationships, and their development should be a central focus of marital education programs and couple therapy interventions.
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