“Without Flirting, It Wouldn't be a Marriage”: Flirtatious Communication Between Relational Partners

Abstract

Exploratory qualitative interviews were used to gather data from nine married couples concerning flirtatious behaviors within the marriage. Interviews were utilized to understand functions and motivations when flirting while dating and married. Data revealed motivation differences between dating and married couples and sex differences between individuals. These findings expand the existing research on flirtation motivations and explore a traditionally ignored context in flirting.

Keywords:

• Flirting
• Maintence
• Marriage
• Sex

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brandi N. Frisby

Brandi N. Frisby (MA, Ball State University, 2007) is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Studies, West Virginia University, 108 Armstrong Hall, P.O. Box 6293, Morgantown, WV 26506.