“We can work it out”: positive problem solving as a mediator between perspective-taking and relationship satisfaction among college students

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the role of positive problem solving in the relation between perspective taking and relationship satisfaction.

Participants: One hundred and four college students participated in the present study, if they had been in a romantic relationship for a minimum of six months.

Methods: Participants completed measures of relationship satisfaction, perspective-taking relative to romantic couples, and of positive problem-solving in couples.

Results: As predicted, both perspective-taking and positive problem-solving were significantly related to relationship satisfaction. In addition, positive problem-solving emerged as a significant partial mediator of the relation between perspective-taking and relationship satisfaction.

Conclusions: The benefits of skills training in the areas of perspective-taking and problem-solving in college student health and functioning are discussed.

Keywords:

• Community health
• counseling
• mental health

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of [country name] and received approval from the [Institutional Review Board of university name].

Funding

There are no financial conflicts of interest to disclose.