Cynical Hostility, Intimacy and Relationship Satisfaction: The Role of Depressive Symptoms

Background: An individual’s own and their perceived partner cynical hostility are conceptualized as vulnerability factors, decreasing couples’ intimacy and relationship satisfaction. The perceived partner cynical hostility may be especially harmful when distress is high. Method: Longitudinal data were collected in two waves (during and after the COVID-19 lockdown), relying on the respondents’ self-reports. Results: Intimacy mediated the association between perceived partner cynical hostility and relationship satisfaction in both waves. The association between perceived partner cynical hostility and intimacy was stronger when depressive symptoms were higher. No longitudinal effects were found. Conclusions: The perceived partner cynical hostility could be a meaningful vulnerability factor, hampering the ability to establish intimacy and, in turn, relationship satisfaction. The toll may be greater when individuals experience greater vulnerability.