Journal of Applied Psychological Research

The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship between ‎Attachment Styles, Personality, and Relationship with the Spouse’s ‎Family in Married Students

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Medical Science, Medical Science Faculty, University of Tarbiat Modares, Tehran, Iran.‎

2 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology. Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. ‎

Abstract

In order to examine the predictive role of attachment style and personality, as well as the mediating role of emotional intelligence, in a relationship with a spouse's family, the current study was conducted. 300 couples from a community of student couples in Tehran participated in the current correlational, cross-sectional study conducted in 2018. To measure variables from four questionnaires and select individuals from two-stage cluster sampling: 1. Family Triangular Systemic Scale (FTSS), 2. Collins and Reed Attachment (RAAS), 3. Neo Personality Type (NEO-PI-R), and 4. Emotional Intelligence (EQ-I) have been employed. To analyze data, structural equation modeling was used with OpenBugs version 3.2.3. The results indicated that secure attachment was directly and indirectly correlated to the relationship with the spouse’s family (p<0.05) mediated by emotional intelligence. In addition, extroversion and neuroticism are indirectly correlated, and agreeableness and conscientiousness are directly and indirectly connected to the relationship with the spouse’s family (p<0.05). According to the results, by determining the relationship between variables of attachment and personality with the mediating role of emotional intelligence, it is possible to achieve better management of the relationship with the spouse’s family; hence knowing emotional intelligence and effort to improve it is necessary to improve the relationship with the spouse’s family.

Keywords

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Journal of Applied Psychological Research
Volume 17, Issue 1
February 2026
Pages 147-166
  • Receive Date: 11 April 2023
  • Revise Date: 11 September 2023
  • Accept Date: 30 September 2023
  • First Publish Date: 25 January 2026
  • Publish Date: 21 March 2026