Which Relationship Skills Count Most?

Abstract

In an Internet-based study with 2,201 participants, the new Epstein Love Competencies Inventory (ELCI) was shown to have high internal-consistency reliability and to be a good predictor of various self-reported measures of success in romantic relationships; scores on the ELCI predicted satisfaction in current relationships especially well. A blind review of test content by licensed therapists also suggested that the test has strong content validity. The new test measured seven relationship competencies that various research suggests are important in the maintenance of long-term romantic relationships: (a) communication, (b) conflict resolution, (c) knowledge of partner, (d) life skills, (e) self management, (f) sex and romance, and (g) stress management. ELCI scores were found to improve with both age and the number of hours spent in relationship skills training. After communication, knowledge of partner and life skills were the competencies that best predicted self-reported positive outcomes in relationships—a potentially important finding given that the latter two competencies are not always assessed or taught in couple therapy or education contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• relationship skills
• relationship competencies
• relationship education
• relationship therapy
• Epstein Love Competencies Inventory

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Randy Lie of the University California San Diego for assistance in preparation of an early version of the test. For statistical advice, we are grateful to Lyle M. Spencer Jr. of Spencer Research and Technology, to John Polich of the Scripps Research Institute, and to Daniel Bajic of the University of California San Diego. We are also grateful to Tracey Laszloffy for a careful analysis of an earlier version of the manuscript, to Dennis S. Thompson for pogramming assistance, and to Mark Kaupp for conducting the blind review of the competencies and items.