• DOI:10.1080/01926180390201936
• Corpus ID: 145484896

Romantic Physical Affection Types and Relationship Satisfaction

@article{Gulledge2003RomanticPA,
  title={Romantic Physical Affection Types and Relationship Satisfaction},
  author={Andrew K. Gulledge and Michelle H. Gulledge and Robert F. Stahmannn},
  journal={The American Journal of Family Therapy},
  year={2003},
  volume={31},
  pages={233 - 242}
}

• Andrew K. Gulledge, Michelle H. Gulledge, Robert F. Stahmannn
• Published 1 July 2003
• Psychology
• The American Journal of Family Therapy

College students (N = 295, 100 men, 195 women) responded to a questionnaire examining their preferences and attitudes regarding romantic physical affection (PA) types and relationship satisfaction (sexual intimacy is excluded from the scope of this study). The seven PA types examined are backrubs/massages, caressing/stroking, cuddling/holding, holding hands, hugging, kissing on the lips, and kissing on the face (not lips). In general, PA is found to be highly correlated with relationship and partner satisfaction as is suggested by prior research. Respondents' attitudes regarding the seven PA types are given in ordinal data (with gender differentiation) across the dimensions favorite, frequent, intimate, and expressive of love. Those respondents currently involved in romantic relationships provided information as to the average amounts of each PA type they engage in per week. These amounts were significantly correlated with relationship and partner satisfaction for all PA types except holding hands and caressing/stroking. Conflict resolution was generally found to be easier with more PA, but the amount of conflict was irrespective of PA. Conflict was resolved easier with increasing amounts of cuddling/holding (p < .01), kissing on the lips (p < .01), and hugging (p < .05). The implications of these findings are discussed. We thank D. Russell Crane, Thomas B. Holman, Jeffry H. Larson, Donovan Fleming, Matthew P. Spackman, Darhl M. Pedersen, Bruce N. Carpenter, Jared Montoya, Cassiey Dorius, and Bruce L. Brown for assistance in providing survey respondents for the present study.