Speaking the Language of Relational Maintenance: A Validity Test of Chapman's (1992) Five Love Languages

ABSTRACT

This study examines the claims of Gary Chapman (1992) in his popular press book, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that a five-factor fit of these data to Chapman's proposed five love languages was superior to unidimensional, three-factor, and four-factor solutions. Results showed significant relationships between the love language factors and Stafford, Dainton, and Haas' (2000) relational maintenance typology, suggesting that Chapman's love languages may reflect behaviors performed to enact intended relational maintenance.

Keywords:

• Relational Maintenance
• Scale Development
• Love Languages
• Confirmatory Factors Analysis

Notes

Note. ∗Denotes that correlation is significant at the p < .05 level.

∗∗Denotes that correlation is significant at the p < .01 level.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nichole Egbert

Nichole Egbert (PhD, University of Georgia) is an Assistant Professor

Denise Polk

Denise Polk (PhD, Kent State University) is an Assistant Professor