The Effects of Cuddling on Relational Quality for Married Couples: A Longitudinal Investigation

Abstract

This study examined the longitudinal effects of cuddling on relational quality for married couples. In a four-week experiment, 80 adults were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: increased cuddling (treatment), increased time spent together (comparison), or no change in behavior (control). Controlling for the pretest relational quality scores and changes in kissing behavior, individuals in the treatment condition reported more relational satisfaction and lower quality of alternatives after four weeks than did individuals in the comparison and control conditions. The comparison and control conditions did not differ from each other on any relational outcomes.

Keywords:

• Affection
• Commitment
• Cuddling
• Quality of Alternatives
• Relational Satisfaction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. A test of independence revealed that the three conditions did not differ on whether participants remained (F_treatment = 25, F_comparison = 30, F_control = 25) or dropped out (F_treatment = 4, F_comparison = 3, F_control = 4) of the study, χ²(2) = 1.29, p = .53, Cramer’s V = .12.

2. A test of independence revealed that men and women did not differ across the experimental (F_men = 7, F_women = 18), comparison (F_men = 10, F_women = 20), or control (F_men = 10, F_women = 15) conditions, χ²(2) = .81, p = .67, Cramer’s V = .10.

3. Predicted pathways among these four variables based on the investment model were explored using linear regressions. At T₁, relational satisfaction and investment significantly predicted commitment, but quality of alternatives did not. At T₂, relational satisfaction and quality of alternatives significantly predicted commitment, but investment did not.

4. In addition to the Likert-type items measured in the manipulation check scale, behavioral frequencies of cuddling behavior (i.e., days a week, frequency a week, and cuddle duration) and shared meal time (i.e., days a week eating together, duration of eating together, and days a week cooking together) were also measured at T₁ and T₂. Behavioral frequencies from T₁ and T₂ were in the expected directions except for the cuddle duration item. That is, only participants in the treatment condition reported an increase in how many days a week they cuddled as well as how often they cuddled, as compared to the comparison and control condition. Additionally, only participants in the comparison condition reported eating together more days during the week, increasing the duration of their eating, and increasing cooking time together compared to the treatment and control condition. Contact the first author for these scores.

5. We thank a reviewer for the observation that the instructions may, or may not, have elicited changes only in cuddling behavior.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Summer Research Grant from the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University.