Affection deprivation is more aversive than excessive affection: A test of affection exchange theory |
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Authors: | Colin Hesse Kory Floyd Alan C Mikkelson |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Speech Communication, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA;2. Department of Communication, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA;3. Department of Communication Studies, Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington, USA |
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Abstract: | Affection exchange theory predicts that both excessive affection and affection deprivation are associated with poorer health, compared with receiving the level of affectionate communication that one desires. A similar yet-untested prediction is that affection deprivation is more aversive than excessive affection. This preregistered study tested both hypotheses on a battery of mental and physical health outcomes, including depression, loneliness, stress, physical pain, frequency of nightmares, and sleep quality, using a Census-matched sample of U.S. American adults (N = 827). As hypothesized, receiving the right amount of affection was associated with more health-supportive scores on all outcomes than either excessive or deficient affection. Similarly, excessive affection was associated with lower depression, loneliness, stress, and pain, and higher sleep quality, than affection deprivation. |
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Keywords: | affection deprivation affectionate communication excessive affection health |
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