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. 2022 Feb;48(2):203-221.
doi: 10.1177/0146167221993349. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

Perceived Partner Responsiveness Forecasts Behavioral Intimacy as Measured by Affectionate Touch

Tatum A Jolink  1 , Yen-Ping Chang  1 , Sara B Algoe  1
Affiliations

Perceived Partner Responsiveness Forecasts Behavioral Intimacy as Measured by Affectionate Touch

Tatum A Jolink et al. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Affectionate touch is an important behavior in close relationships throughout the lifespan. Research has investigated the relational and individual psychological and physical benefits of affectionate touch, but the situational factors that give rise to it have been overlooked. Theorizing from the interpersonal process model of intimacy, the current studies tested whether perceived partner responsiveness forecasts affectionate touch in romantic couples. Following a preliminary integrative data analysis (N = 842), three prospective studies use ecologically valid behavioral (Studies 1 and 2) and daily (Studies 2 and 3) data, showing a positive association between perceived partner responsiveness and affectionate touch. Furthermore, in Study 3, we tested a theoretical extension of the interpersonal process of intimacy, finding that affectionate touch forecasts the partner's perception of the touch-giver's responsiveness the next day. Findings suggest affectionate touch may be an untested mechanism at the heart of the interpersonal process of intimacy.

Keywords: affectionate touch; close relationships; intimacy; perceived partner responsiveness.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Conceptual model of two-step, recursive daily dyadic process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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