Performance
As assumed, significant correlations of mindfulness with partnership satisfaction (RAS, p < .01), partnership quality (PFB-K, p < .01), and sexual satisfaction (p < .01) were found. Furthermore, as expected, constructive conflict resolution was positively associated and destructive conflict resolution was negatively associated with the indicators of relationship satisfaction. The destructive styles conflict engagement, withdrawal, and compliance showed significantly negative correlations with the RAS (p < .01) and the scales togetherness and tenderness of the PFB-K (p < .01). In contrast, positive problem solving showed significantly positive associations with sexual satisfaction (p < .05) and all other indicators of relationship satisfaction (p < .01). In line with our assumptions, mindfulness correlated positively with positive problem solving (p < .01) and negatively with withdrawal (p < .05) and compliance (p < .01). Only for conflict engagement, no significant correlation was found. Finally, IOS showed significant correlations with RAS and PFB-K, including all subscales (p < .01), and a significant association with sexual satisfaction (p < .05). In addition, a significant correlation between mindfulness and IOS (p < .05) was found.
The final model that tested the mediation between mindfulness and partnership quality (sum of togetherness and tenderness of the PFB-K) was significant with F (6 202) = , p <.001, and the predictors explained about 39.4% of the variance of partnership quality. After including the possible mediating variables, no significant direct effect of mindfulness on partnership quality was found. In the confidence interval of the total indirect effect, the value 0 is not included; thus, mediation can be assumed, b = .15 (95% CI = .05–.24). A significant indirect effect of mindfulness on partnership quality mediated through positive problem solving, b = .09 (95% CI = .03–.17) was found. The indirect effects via the other conflict resolution styles were not significant. For the mediated effect by IOS, 0 was not included in the 95% confidence interval, b = .03 (95% CI = .00–.08). Figure 1 shows the standardized b-coefficients of each path.
Multiple mediation models of the relationship between mindfulness and partnership outcomes through conflict resolution styles and inclusion of the other in the self. Standardized b-coefficients from a bootstrap procedure are provided and bold values are significant (p < .05).
PFB-K quick form of Relationship Survey, RAS Relationships Evaluation Measure
The final model for the association between mindfulness and partnership satisfaction (RAS) was significant, F (6 202) = , p < .001, and 49.3% of the criterion variance was explained by the predictors. A significant total effect and significant indirect effects mediated through positive problem solving b = .07 (95% CI = .02–.13) and withdrawal b = .02 (95% CI = .00–.06) were found, whereas for IOS, only a non-significant tendency was found b = .05 (95% CI = ? .00–.11). In the final model with all possible mediators in the model, no significant direct effect of mindfulness on partner satisfaction was found (see Fig. 1).
The final model for the association between mindfulness and sexual satisfaction was significant, F (6 202) = 4.17, p < .001, and about 11% of the criterion variance was explained by the predictors. There was a significant total indirect effect of mindfulness on sexual satisfaction with b = .07 (95% CI = .01–.14). The effect was mediated by positive problem solving with b = .04 (95% CI = .00–.10) and withdrawal with b = .02 (95% CI = .00–.06). Again, there was a non-significant tendency for the mediating effect of IOS b = .01 (95% CI = ? .00–.05). In the final model with all possible mediators included, there was no significant direct effect of mindfulness on sexual satisfaction (see Fig. 1).