Intersubjectivity, empathy and dyadic adjustment

A romantic relationship can be considered as an attachment bond, characterized by symmetric roles and turnover of caregiver and care-taker functions. Intersubjectivity is central for couple's relational quality. This construct has been previously studied in mother-child and therapeutic relationships as a factor that develops trust between two individuals, facilitates mentalization and emotional regulation (Davies, 2003; Aron, 2006; Ammaniti, Gallese, 2014). According to the necessary processes of self-regulation and co-regulation which promote the mutual adjustment between partners, we refer to couple intersubjectivity as the relational storage to share positive mental and emotional states inside the romantic relationship. The mutual adjustment promoted by intersubjectivity could inhibit destructive expressions (Benjamin, 2004; Van der Heide, 2012). In our perspective, intersubjectivity is also connected with empathy, a construct that focuses more on emotions and it's composed by two dimensions: empathetic concern and perspective taking (O'Brien et al., 2012). Sharing emotions and affects makes the partners feel more vulnerable, but increases their intimacy and mutuality, that can eventually influence couple satisfaction (Busby & Gardner, 2008). Finally, the ability to assume the partner perspective can promote the satisfaction of the partner needs. In the present study, we analyzed the influence of empathy, couple intersubjectivity and satisfaction of partner's needs on the dyadic adjustment for 151 committed couples. The results showed how satisfaction need is important to determine relationship satisfaction for husbands and wives. Furthermore, we found that the ability to take the partner's perspective influences dyadic adjustment as well as the intersubjectivity competence showed by the partner.