Constructive Communication and Psychological Symptoms in Clinical Couples: The Mediating Role of Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

Romantic relationships involving individuals receiving mental health care are associated with high societal costs. However, relational dynamics affecting psychological symptoms remain understudied. This dyadic study investigated whether relationship satisfaction mediates the association between constructive communication and psychological symptoms in 78 couples, one of whom received specialized mental health care at Altrecht. Self-report measures (CPQ-SF, CSI-4, BSI) were used. It was hypothesized that constructive communication positively relates to relationship satisfaction and negatively to psychological symptoms, both directly and indirectly via relationship satisfaction for clients and partners. Partner effects were also hypothesized, with each person’s communication and satisfaction influencing the other’s outcomes. Results revealed both partners’ constructive communication predicted their own relationship satisfaction, and only partner’s communication predicted their own psychological symptoms. Cross-partner effects showed that the partner’s communication predicted higher satisfaction in the client, and only client’s communication and satisfaction predicted fewer symptoms in the partner. Relationship satisfaction did not mediate effects. The results suggest further research on relational factors affecting mental health and emphasize combining communication training with psychological symptom interventions in clinical couples.