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Mating Performance: Exploring Emotional Intelligence, the Dark Triad, Jealousy and Attachment Effects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2019

Menelaos Apostolou Open the ORCID record for Menelaos Apostolou [Opens in a new window] ,
Christiana Paphiti ,
Eleni Neza ,
Maria Damianou  and
Polyxeni Georgiadou
Menelaos Apostolou*
Affiliation:
University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Christiana Paphiti
Affiliation:
University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Eleni Neza
Affiliation:
University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Maria Damianou
Affiliation:
University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
Polyxeni Georgiadou
Affiliation:
University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
*
Address for correspondence: Menelaos Apostolou, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Ave., 1700 Nicosia, Cyprus. Email: m.apostolou@gmail.com
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Abstract

A considerable proportion of the population in post-industrial societies experiences substantial difficulties in the domain of mating. The current research attempted to estimate the prevalence rate of poor mating performance and to identify some of its predictors. Two independent studies, which employed a total of 1,358 Greek-speaking men and women, found that about 40% of the participants experienced poor performance in either starting or keeping an intimate relationship, or in both areas. Furthermore, emotional intelligence, Dark Triad traits, jealousy, and attachment style were found to be significant predictors of mating performance. In particular, higher emotional intelligence and narcissism were associated with higher performance in mating, while higher psychopathy, jealousy and an avoidant attachment style were associated with lower mating performance.

Keywords

mating performancematingDark Triademotional intelligenceattachmentjealousyevolutionary mismatch
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 10 , 2019 , e1
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2019 

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