Approach and avoidance motives for touch are predicted by attachment and predict daily relationship well-being

Abstract

Research suggests that touch promotes relationship well-being but has failed to consider motives for touch. We assessed general (Study 1) and daily (Study 2) approach and avoidance motives for touch and tested their precursors and consequences. Controlling for relationship quality and the other motive, greater attachment avoidance predicted lower approach and greater avoidance motives for touch in general but did not predict motives in daily life. Greater attachment anxiety simultaneously predicted greater approach and avoidance motives for touch in both studies suggesting anxiously attached people have ambivalent motives for touch. Critically, one’s own and one’s partner’s approach motives for touch predicted greater daily relationship well-being, whereas own and partner avoidance motives predicted poorer daily relationship well-being. We observed indirect effects linking attachment insecurity to relationship well-being through daily motives for touch. These results underscore the importance of attending to touch motives in future work, including future intervention work.

Love and affectionate touch toward romantic partners all over the world

“…For example, it is logical to predict that loving partners would use more touch in their relationships, enriching communication, and enjoying the benefits typically associated with affectionate touch. Touch, at the same time, could promote love between partners, in line with a study showing that one’s own and one’s partner’s approach motives for touch predict greater daily relationship well-being 27 . This hypothesis finds support in an older study by Dainton, Stafford and Canary 28 who showed that physical affection (including touch behaviors) performed by a romantic partner as well as satisfaction with physical affection displays were positively related with self-assessed love level.…”

“…In one of a few studies focused directly on touch in romantic partnerships, relationship quality was found to be positively associated with desire for touch, while attachment avoidance was associated with lower overall desire for touch 26 . Touch was further found to be a significant mediator between attachment patterns and relationship well-being 27 . Despite these promising findings and the obvious value of touch in close interpersonal relationships, scientific knowledge on affectionate touch in romantic relationships still remains rather sparse.…”

Affectionate touch in satisfying and dissatisfying romantic relationships

“…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).…”

Having the will, finding the ways, and wishes for the future: A model of relational hope and well‐being

“…The benefits of approach motives in relationships extend to other behaviors as well. Engaging in touch from an approach orientation produces benefits in relationship quality for both relationship members (Jakubiak et al, 2021).…”

“…The benefits of approach motives in relationships extend to other behaviors as well. Engaging in touch from an approach orientation produces benefits in relationship quality for both relationship members (Jakubiak et al., 2021). Given that individuals who feel agentic in their relationship may be more likely to pursue approach goals as a means to desired relationship outcomes, they are more likely to engage in beneficial behaviors that promote greater relationship quality both for themselves and their partner.…”