The mediating role of basic psychological needs in the impact of attachment styles and perceived partner attachment on relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships

The main objective of this study was to examine the mediating roles of basic psychological needs in the relationship between individuals' attachment styles in romantic relationships and their partners' perceived attachment styles on relationship satisfaction. The study also investigated whether relationship satisfaction differs according to demographic variables. The sample consisted of 575 individuals in romantic relationships, including 434 women and 141 men. A descriptive correlational design was employed. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory-II, the Partner Perception Form of the same inventory, the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale in Romantic Relationships, and the Relationship Satisfaction Scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 29.0. The hypothesis model was tested using M-Plus 7.0 with a 5,000-resample bootstrapping method. Independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA were conducted to examine differences in relationship satisfaction based on demographic variables. Findings revealed that basic psychological needs played a partial mediating role in the relationship between avoidant attachment style and relationship satisfaction, as well as between the partner's perceived anxious attachment style and relationship satisfaction. A full mediating role was found for basic psychological needs in the relationship between the partner's perceived avoidant attachment style and relationship satisfaction. The need for love/belonging also fully mediated the relationship between anxious attachment style and relationship satisfaction. Avoidant attachment style and the partner's perceived anxious attachment style negatively predicted relationship satisfaction. Anxious attachment style and the partner's perceived avoidant attachment style predicted relationship satisfaction indirectly through basic needs. Both avoidant and anxious attachment styles negatively predicted relationship satisfaction via the needs for love/belonging, power, and fun. The partner's perceived avoidant attachment style also negatively predicted relationship satisfaction through these same three needs, whereas the partner's perceived anxious attachment style positively predicted relationship satisfaction through the need for love and belonging. Regarding demographic variables, relationship satisfaction did not differ significantly by gender or socioeconomic status; however, a significant difference was found based on educational level. Individuals with a bachelor's degree reported higher relationship satisfaction compared to those with a master's degree. Keywords: Attachment Styles, Perceived Partner Attachment Style, Relationship Satisfaction, Basic Psychological Needs