The relationship between anger experience and relationship satisfaction: The mediating role of emotion regulation

Majority of studies on emotion regulation examined clusters of negative or positive emotions. However, few studies have explored the emotion regulation of specific emotions, such as anger or sadness. This study examines the association between anger experience, emotion regulation strategies, and relationship satisfaction. A sample of 255 emerging adults involved in a committed romantic relationship reported anger intensity elicited by a hypothetical scenario, how they regulated anger, and their momentary relationship satisfaction. We found that anger experience was related to emotion regulation strategies (extrinsic and intrinsic improving), which in turn increased participants' relationship satisfaction. Results indicate that only extrinsic improving emotion regulation strategy mediated the association between participants' anger experience and their own relationship satisfaction. The importance of addressing emotion regulation strategies during couple therapy sessions is discussed.