The effect of emotional competence on relational quality: Comparing Japan and Myanmar

Abstract

This study examined cultural influences on relational qualities through intrapersonal and interpersonal emotional competence (EC) for friendship networks (same-sex best friend and opposite-sex best friend), romantic partner, and family members (sibling, mother, and father). Much of the literature on cross-cultural comparison of emotions has been conducted in Western cultures, and a few cross-cultural comparisons have been made between Western cultures and Japan. Relatively little work has been done outside of these countries. This study aimed to compare the significance of EC on interpersonal relationships between Japan, and a Southeast Asian culture, namely, Myanmar, as an exploratory effort outside of the individualism-collectivism continuum, hence focusing on two collectivistic, and Asian cultures. We recruited 721 university students from one East Asian country (Japan) and one Southeast Asian country (Myanmar). We found cultural differences of EC and relational qualities for each target (same-sex best friend, opposite-sex best friend, romantic partner, sibling, mother, and father). Moreover, both interpersonal and intrapersonal EC mediated the impact of culture on positive relational qualities for family members. Intrapersonal EC mediated this effect for same-sex best friend and romantic partner, whereas interpersonal EC did so for opposite-sex best friend. Additionally, interpersonal EC mediated the effect between culture and negative relational qualities for father. Our findings suggest that EC mediates the effect of culture on relational qualities, and that there are cultural differences regarding this effect.