The examination of the predictive power of individuals' interpersonal-social intelligence levels and attachment styles on decision-making skills in relationships

In this study examines the predictive power of individuals' interpersonal-social intelligence levels and attachment styles on their decision-making skills in relationships. Additionally, it aims to determine the differences in interpersonal-social intelligence levels and attachment styles in relation to decision-making skills based on demographic variables. The research, designed with a relational pattern, aims to identify the relationships between two or more variables. The study included 281 individuals over the age of 18, selected through a simple random sampling method. After conducting an outlier analysis, five data points with Z-scores not within ±3 were excluded, resulting in 276 data points for analysis. Participants were administered the Demographic Information Form, the Tromso Social Intelligence Scale, the Relationship Scales Questionnaire, and the Decision-Making in Relationships Scale. The data collected from participants were analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 software package. A "Normality Test" was conducted to determine if the data were normally distributed. Since the data were found to be normally distributed, "Parametric Tests," including the "t-test" and "One Way ANOVA," were used for analyses based on demographic variables. Hierarchical regression analysis was employed to examine the predictive power of individuals' interpersonal-social intelligence levels and attachment styles on their decision-making skills in relationships. According to the correlation analysis, a positive correlation was found between the sub-dimensions of social intelligence (social information processing, social skills, and social awareness) and decision-making skills in relationships. A negative correlation was identified between fearful attachment and decision-making skills in relationships. There is a positive correlation between secure attachment and decision-making skills in relationships. No correlation was found between dismissive and preoccupied attachment and decision-making skills in relationships. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that social information processing and social skills significantly predict decision-making in relationships, explaining 27% of the total variance. In the second step, attachment styles were included in the model, and the analysis was repeated. Secure attachment was found to significantly predict decision-making in relationships, with a contribution of 2.1% to the model. However, the distinguishing power of secure attachment was not found to be at a sufficient level. Keywords: Social intelligence, Social awareness, Social skills, Attachment styles, Decision-making in relationships.