The Effects of Cuddling on Relational Quality for Married Couples: A Longitudinal Investigation

Lisa J. Van Raalte; Kory Wayne Floyd; Paul A. Mongeau

doi:10.1080/10570314.2019.1667021

The Effects of Cuddling on Relational Quality for Married Couples: A Longitudinal Investigation

Lisa J. Van Raalte, Kory Wayne Floyd, Paul A. Mongeau

Human Communication, Hugh Downs School of

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the longitudinal effects of cuddling on relational quality for married couples. In a four-week experiment, 80 adults were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: increased cuddling (treatment), increased time spent together (comparison), or no change in behavior (control). Controlling for the pretest relational quality scores and changes in kissing behavior, individuals in the treatment condition reported more relational satisfaction and lower quality of alternatives after four weeks than did individuals in the comparison and control conditions. The comparison and control conditions did not differ from each other on any relational outcomes.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	61-82
Number of pages	22
Journal	Western Journal of Communication
Volume	85
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2019.1667021
State	Published - 2021

Keywords

Affection
Commitment
Cuddling
Quality of Alternatives
Relational Satisfaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Communication
Language and Linguistics

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10.1080/10570314.2019.1667021

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abstract = "This study examined the longitudinal effects of cuddling on relational quality for married couples. In a four-week experiment, 80 adults were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: increased cuddling (treatment), increased time spent together (comparison), or no change in behavior (control). Controlling for the pretest relational quality scores and changes in kissing behavior, individuals in the treatment condition reported more relational satisfaction and lower quality of alternatives after four weeks than did individuals in the comparison and control conditions. The comparison and control conditions did not differ from each other on any relational outcomes.",

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AB - This study examined the longitudinal effects of cuddling on relational quality for married couples. In a four-week experiment, 80 adults were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: increased cuddling (treatment), increased time spent together (comparison), or no change in behavior (control). Controlling for the pretest relational quality scores and changes in kissing behavior, individuals in the treatment condition reported more relational satisfaction and lower quality of alternatives after four weeks than did individuals in the comparison and control conditions. The comparison and control conditions did not differ from each other on any relational outcomes.

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The Effects of Cuddling on Relational Quality for Married Couples: A Longitudinal Investigation

Abstract

Keywords

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