PERSPECTIVE-TAKING IN LOVE-RELATIONSHIPS - THE RELATION BETWEEN THE MENTAL ENGAGEMENT WITH A LOVED PERSON, THE QUALITY OF AN INTIMATE-RELATIONSHIP AND PERSPECTIVE-TAKING

In the present work, the relationship between the mental engagement wi th an intimate partner and perspective-taking with respect to differen t qualities of the partnership is explored (past, content and conflict -burden versus content relationship). Three studies were conducted whi ch involve different qualities of the partnership. It is hypothesized that the mental engagement with an ex-partner is positively associated with egocentrism, the mental engagement with a partner in a content r elationship should be related positively with perspective-taking. The relation between mental engagement, perspective-taking and conflict sh ould be curvilinear in an intact relationship. The results are in line with the hypotheses and have implications for partnership counseling.