Which Relationship Skills Count Most?

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 relations...