Love expression in intimate relationships: A contribution to exploration in using of relational maintenance strategies in partnership and marriage
Vol.3,No.3-4(2009)
The current study contributes to the topic of relational maintenance strategies. The study uses Gary Chapman’s claims published in his popular book The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate (2002). The author underscores the importance of being able to express love to one’s spouse in a way the spouse can understand. Chapman refers to this type of communication as the five love languages i.e. words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service and physical touch. Survey data were collected from 111 unmarried individuals (college students) and 61 married couples (122 individuals). The aim of the study was to explore differences and predictors in how married and unmarried men and women use various strategies of relational maintenance. Findings reveal that men use „gifts“ more frequently while women are more likely to use „quality time“ as strategy of relational maintenance. The predictor of „words of affirmation“ and “physical touch” was length of relationship, predictor of „quality time“ was marital status. Marital status and sex served as predictors of „gifts“ and „acts of service“.
communication; five love languages; love expression; relational maintenance
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