Trait Affection Predicts Married Couples’ Use of Relational Maintenance Behaviors

The present study analyzed the role that trait affectionate communication, an individual-level trait, plays in dyads’ enactment of relational maintenance behaviors. We hypothesized that trait affection positively predicts both husbands and wives’ enactment of relational maintenance behaviors. In addition, we hypothesized that the relative contribution of wives’ trait affection to relational maintenance would be stronger than that of husbands. One hundred and forty-three married heterosexual couples completed questionnaires, and data were analyzed using the actor-partner interdependence model. Results revealed significant actor effects in 9 out of 10 cases. Results also revealed four partner effects. Husbands and wives’ trait affection mutually influenced their enactment of assurances, and husbands’ trait affection positively predicted wives’ enactment of positivity and network sharing. Results are discussed in terms of relational maintenance research and theories of affectionate interaction.