Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, Vol 58(1), Jan 2026, 1-11; doi:10.1037/cbs0000462
Many studies have looked at the role of mindfulness in romantic relationships. However, none of them has explored the mediating role that emotions play in the connection between a disposition to mindfulness and the quality of romantic relationships using dyadic data analysis. This study aims to fill that gap. A total of 200 couples (N = 400 participants) completed a series of self-reported questionnaires on their ability to pay attention in the present moment, their emotions during the last four weeks, and the quality of their romantic relationship. An analysis of the data was carried out using the Actor Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). As expected, effects of the actor, the partner, as well mediating effects were observed. The results showed that, for women and men, a disposition to mindfulness is linked to relational quality through their emotions. Furthermore, the link between mindfulness in women and relational quality for men is mediated by the emotions of the women. The results of this study deepen our understanding of the interconnection between mindfulness, emotions, and relational quality in romantic relationships, and corroborate the interdependence of partners in a couple. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)