Affection preference, enactment, and relationship satisfaction: A dyadic analysis of love languages

Despite its popularity, The Five Love Languages relationship self-help book has received little empirical investigation. This may result in a disconnect between clinicians and clients with preconceived notions based on the book. The current research sought to evaluate love languages through the lens...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of marital and family therapy 2023-10, Vol.49 (4), p.741-761
Main Authors: Coy, Anthony E, Rodriguez, Lindsey M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bias
Client satisfaction
Couples
Elementary Secondary Education
Enactment
Evidence
Factor Analysis
Love
Peer Acceptance
Personal relationships
Popularity
Preferences
Psychological Needs
Psychometrics
Quantitative psychology
Rating Scales
Responsiveness
Self help
Self Help Programs
Understanding
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Summary:Despite its popularity, The Five Love Languages relationship self-help book has received little empirical investigation. This may result in a disconnect between clinicians and clients with preconceived notions based on the book. The current research sought to evaluate love languages through the lens of responsiveness by examining if an accurate or biased understanding of partner preferences for different modes of affection were associated with enacted affectionate behavior, the perception of partner behavior, and relationship satisfaction. The results from a sample of 84 couples indicated that individuals tend to have a biased understanding of partner preferences and these biases influenced expressions of affection. In addition, accurately understanding partner preferences was associated with greater relationship satisfaction. The findings suggest that helping clients understand both their own and their partner's preferences for expressions of affection, may reduce bias and lead to more partnerpreferred expressions of affection and, ultimately, greater relationship satisfaction.
ISSN:0194-472X
1752-0606
DOI:10.1111/jmft.l2655