AbstractsPsychology

This study examined the links between affectionate communication expressed within family dyads and affectionate communication expressed among other dyads, as well as individual reports of satisfaction with family life and mental well-being. Overall, the study showed that a childs report of affectionate communication exchanged in the child/father subsystem is associated with mothers satisfaction with family life. Additionally, mother reports of affectionate communication exchanged in the spousal relationships were positively associated with child reports of child/father affectionate communication exchanged. Finally, both perceptions of affectionate exchange in dyads outside and inside of ones direct experience correlated with satisfaction with family life and mental well-being. The results offer new insights into the nature of affectionate relationships in families.