Individual and relational differences in desire for touch in romantic relationships

Background: Close relationships in older adulthood are characterized by heightened interdependence, which has implications for health and well-being as partners age together. Purpose: We describe a novel method that uses partners’ spatial proximity to examine the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Research Design: In a sample of 10 older adult couples over a 14-day study period, we linked a continuous measure of partners’ spatial proximity with partners’ heart rates—a physiological marker of arousal. Results: Cross-correlations showed that proximity was consistently associated with each partner’s heart rate, but the magnitude and sequence of the correlation varied from day-to-day, suggesting that the coupling of proximity and heart rate is a dynamic of the interaction, rather than the couple. Additionally, our predictive model showed that all three time-series were necessary for optimal prediction, demonstrating that proximity and partners’ heart rates are dynamically intertwined. Conclusion: Together, these results demonstrate meaningful and predictable variation in couple dynamics at the momentary level that consists of a complex association between physiological and spatial proximity.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial proximity as a behavioral marker of relationship dynamics in older adult couples

Ogolsky

Mejía²,

Alexandra³

et al. 2021

“…Insofar as social or affectionate touch can benefit well-being and relationship quality, more touch may help offset distress and relationship problems. Similar to variation in use of typical emotion regulation strategies (e.g., Grommisch et al, 2020), individuals’ ideal levels of touch differ (Jakubiak et al, 2021; Trotter et al, 2018), as does the strength of the association between touch and measures of well-being. Accordingly, the regulatory benefits may be most apparent for those who more strongly endorse using touch for affect regulation (TAR), an attribute that is particularly relevant in light of social distancing.…”

Section: Social Touch In Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeling the Absence of Touch: Distancing, Distress, Regulation, and Relationships in the Context of COVID-19

Burleson

Roberts

Munson

et al. 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing guidelines were implemented to reduce viral spread, altering typical social interactions and reducing the amount of physical contact and affectionate touch many individuals experienced. The pandemic also caused psychological distress, perhaps in part related to reductions in affectionate touch with close others. We theorized that this would be particularly problematic for individuals reliant on affectionate touch to help regulate their emotions. Using online survey data collected nationwide from married or romantically partnered adults ( N = 585), we examined how physical distancing (moderated by cohabiting with spouse/partner) and affectionate touch with close others (moderated by individual differences in typical use and efficacy of touch for affect regulation [TAR]) related to individual psychological distress and romantic relationship quality. As hypothesized, more physical distancing was associated with less affectionate touch among non-cohabiters, but surprisingly with more touch among cohabiters. Also as hypothesized, participants higher in TAR and experiencing less affectionate touch reported more psychological distress than those similarly high in TAR and experiencing more affectionate touch, or than those lower in TAR. Unexpectedly, more physical distancing was associated directly with lower psychological distress and better relationship quality. Better relationship quality was linked directly to more affectionate touch and greater endorsement of TAR. Thus, for those cohabiting in satisfying romantic relationships, physical distancing may facilitate relationship-positive behaviors. Further, individual differences in TAR may influence the potency of touch effects on mood and stress.

“…There is some indirect evidence that touch experiences covary with relationship satisfaction. People with higher relationship quality report greater desire for touch (especially intimate forms of touch), are more motivated to touch to approach positive outcomes, and are less motivated to touch to avoid negative outcomes than those with lower relationship quality (Jakubiak et al, 2021a(Jakubiak et al, , 2021b. Additionally, people with higher relationship quality report greater actual engagement in affectionate touch (Gulledge et al, 2003;Mackey et al, 2000).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Affectionate touch in satisfying and dissatisfying romantic relationships

Jakubiak

2022

Self Cite

Past research has shown consistent benefits associated with and resulting from affectionate touch, though past research is based almost exclusively on highly satisfied and otherwise non-representative samples. The current research used two nationally representative samples to test correlates (Study 1) and anticipated consequences (Study 2) of affectionate touch in romantic relationships. In Study 1, greater kissing frequency was associated with greater individual well-being, and these links were especially pronounced in the most satisfying relationships. In Study 2, participants who were randomly assigned to imagine receiving affectionate touch from their spouse anticipated greater individual well-being (less stress and greater life satisfaction) and relational benefits (greater perceived partner affection, state security, cognitive interdependence, and relationship quality). These benefits were stronger among people with moderate or high relationship satisfaction but observed even for the subset of individuals (approximately one-third of the sample) who rated their relationships as “distressed.” Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.