Personal Strengths and Compassionate Love for the Partner in Mexico

Abstract

Human nature consists of strengths whose possession has personal and interpersonal advantages. Among these are resilience, self-efficacy in the exercise of emotional regulation strategies (SEERE), optimism and subjective well-being (SWB), which can condition the expression of compassionate love (CL) towards the partner. Based on this, the objectives of this research were: 1) to identify the effect of resilience, SEERE, optimism and SWB in the CL towards the romantic partner and 2) to examine the differences in the variables mentioned by education and time in the relationship. To do this, we worked with 202 heterosexual couples from Mexico City who responded voluntarily, confidentially and anonymously. Among the results, positive and significant relationships were found between resilience, SEERE, optimism and SWB with CL towards the partner. Likewise, it was found that the higher the school level, the more resilience, optimism and flourishing; as well as differences by time in the relationship showing that CL predominates at the beginning of the relationship; while in later stages, more family support and SEERE in cognitive reappraisal are reported.

Keywords

• compassionate love
• resilience
• self-efficacy
• emotional regulation
• optimism
• subjective well-being
• couple