Relationship between nonverbal sensitivity, encoding, and relational satisfaction

This study examined the relationship between individuals’ social skills, their partners’ assessments of their social skills, and both parties’ relationship satisfaction. Participants (N = 112) completed the Interpersonal Perception Task, the emotional expressivity and social expressivity subscales of the Social Skills Inventory, the Conversational Skills Ratings scale, and the Relationship Assessment Scale. Partners completed the Conversational Skills Ratings scale on participants, and the Relationship Assessment Scale. Regression equations were performed using participant and partner satisfaction as the dependent variables and participant social skills as the independent variables. Results revealed that partner assessment of participant conversational skill predicted partner satisfaction.