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Using Chapman’s Five Love Languages Theory to Predict Love and Relationship Satisfaction
... This tool involves people taking a test to identify their style of giving and receiving love, which can then be used to support the development and maintenance of romantic relationships. However, though the love languages have been examined by a variety of relationship scientists (Hughes & Camden, 2020;Impett et al., 2024;Polk, 2013), it remains unclear how valid the five love languages are. It may be useful to determine how couples use this information in their relationships, to better determine the relationship between the love languages and relationship quality. ...
... Hughes and Camden (2020) supported Chapman's (2015) claims that each partner should try to perform their partner's love language, as even the perception of an attempt had a positive result. They further suggested that individuals should learn how to recognize the attempts of their partner to act with their preferred love language style (Hughes & Camden, 2020). A later study again assessed the validity of Chapman's claims that speaking a partner's preferred love language would result in greater satisfaction, and found that with a greater mismatch there was lower satisfaction, and with a congruence of love languages, greater satisfaction (Mostova et al., 2022). ...
... These gestures, often described as "the little things," promote reassurance, communication, commitment, thoughtfulness, and willingness to perform an action to make their partner feel loved. Similar to findings indicated by Hughes and Camden (2020), performing the love language of a partner prompts positive results in which the continuity of the actions promotes growth in the relationship. ...
Gary Chapman (1992) proposed the concept of the five love languages: words of affirmation, quality time, gift giving, physical touch, and acts of service. Chapman argued that for the highest relationship satisfaction, partners should be aware of and support their partner's love language. However, this argument has received mixed empirical support. The present study proposes that analogous love languages do not influence relationship quality, but that the intentionality behind the actions within the partnership takes precedence over any categorization. This qualitative study involved college students completing individual, semi-structured interviews ( N = 49). Qualitative data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analyses. Results highlighted the presence of a reciprocal relationship between intentionality and the five love languages, as it is likely the presence of intentionality within the consistent practice of the love languages ideology that promotes positive interactions and growth in relationships. The love languages primarily reflect ways to categorize different approaches to love, but do not appear to contribute to experiences within relationships. The basic understanding of Chapman's typology may still lack the behaviors observed to function well consistently under perspectives of intentionality, as well as perceptions of a partner's intentionality.
... Quality time, one of the five love languages can be defined through studies that relate to love languages and their satisfaction. Hughes & Camden (2020) in their study on love languages and satisfaction define quality time as doing something together with your partner, but you must be completely focused on them. They also included having quality conversations as quality time. ...
... Carlson and colleagues (2022) measured the influence of quality time and the outcome of satisfaction within relationships, they found that quality time and marital satisfaction have a positive effect on relationship satisfaction, but it must be meaningful time. Hughes & Camden (2020) also found that if you have the preferred love language of quality time when a partner shows it, it creates a higher relationship satisfaction. All of these articles prove that quality time does lead to satisfaction within relationships. ...
... İnce & Işık (2022) concluded as they were studying love languages and relationship satisfaction that receiving gifts does lead to higher levels of marital satisfaction. Hughes & Camden (2020) also discovered that when those who had the preferred love language of receiving gifts, when their significant other expressed it, it would lead to higher levels of marital satisfaction. It can be inferred through this information that receiving gifts, although unpopular, does lead to higher levels of satisfaction within marriages. ...
This literature review looks at the question: is there a relationship between love languages and marital happiness? Love languages are a very popular cultural theme, and many people depend on love languages for the satisfaction of love between partners. Although there has been an emphasis on love languages, in recent cultures, there have also been very high divorce rates, therefore the question if love languages prove to produce love remains prominent. Fifteen articles that I have found take this question and extract themes regarding this question that fall under the subject of the description of love languages, the validity of love languages, and satisfaction and love languages. This literature review looks at each of the five most popular love languages and assesses what they are, how often they occur within relationships, and if they produce satisfaction within couples. It has been found that most love languages individually do produce marital satisfaction. In the later part of this literature review, I assess the validity of love languages and their satisfaction as a whole, I have found that the love languages themselves do not prove to be valid with empirical research, and it was also found that there are many other ways of showing love that are not one of the five love languages. Therefore, these findings prove that love languages do not fully lead to marital happiness, instead, simply showing affection leads to marital happiness, which could include showing love languages. This information was found by looking at studies that would measure satisfaction between married couples and related it to love languages.
... A study of Hughes and Camden (2020) indicated, that women who believed that their partners were effectively expressing their love to them through gifts, acts of service, or physical touch experienced stronger sensations of love. The authors took Chapman's theory to the test, finding that relationships are more fulfilling when partners use and receive each other's preferred love languages. ...
... Furthermore, Hughes and Camden (2020) Chapman pointed out the importance of people wanting compliments in relationships. He emphasized the significance of voicing feelings of appreciation between partners. ...
... The married males expressed their love by initiating sex, engaging in outdoor pursuits, and helping out around the house. It's possible that the heterosexual women in our sample responded to the males initiating sex (physical touch) and helping out around the house (acts of service) by feeling more loved as a result (Hughes & Camden, 2020). ...
Every individual has a distinct personality, and this uniqueness shapes how they express and interpret love. Understanding these differences, both within oneself and in significant relationships, one can recognize the root causes of conflicts, and foster deeper connections, and more profound relationships. Hence, this study aims to explore the love language of male senior citizens. Using a research design that utilizes interactive phenomenological analysis, the purpose of this study is to understand how senior citizens express and receive love through love languages. This study included fifteen male senior residents of Bulacan District IV (Obando, Marilao, and City of Meycauayan). The participants also accomplished a semi-structured interview guide that included the experiences, challenges, and coping strategies of male seniors. The study's findings revealed that male seniors experience difficulty expressing and receiving their love languages. The participants stated that they were frustrated, distressed, sad, and regretful because they were having difficulties in expressing and receiving their preferred love language from their partner. The difference in love language is one of the reasons why there is difficulty in expressing and accepting that preferred love language with their partner. Despite negative emotions, they show respect, handle disagreements with patience, and understand the importance of clear communication and conflict handling for successful relationships.
... "How do you regularly express love to your partner?;" and "What would an ideal partner be like?" (Hughes & Camden, 2020). Each of the following sections describes the types of love languages yielded by these assessments. ...
... Words of affirmation consist of communication in soft tones, humble requests and complimenting in the presence of others (Hughes & Camden, 2020), and sending encouraging messages to your partner . Quality time entails providing undivided and uninterrupted attention embodied with quality conversation, which includes empathic and sympathetic dialogue by engaging in shared activities Hughes & Camden, 2020). ...
... Words of affirmation consist of communication in soft tones, humble requests and complimenting in the presence of others (Hughes & Camden, 2020), and sending encouraging messages to your partner . Quality time entails providing undivided and uninterrupted attention embodied with quality conversation, which includes empathic and sympathetic dialogue by engaging in shared activities Hughes & Camden, 2020). Receiving gifts is providing gifts to the partner. ...
Attachment theory posits that relationships developed in childhood between children and their parents or caregivers, impact the manner in which later relationships are developed in adulthood. John Bowlby described various attachment styles within the child-caregiver relationship. Some of these attachment styles are viewed today through the lens of romantic attachment styles that include secure (content and healthy relationships), avoidant (dismissive and unengaged in relationships), and anxious (insecurities and fear in relationships). Couples romantic attachment could be better understood in conjunction with love languages. Love languages, developed by Gary Chapman, include words of affirmation, quality time, gift giving, physical touch, receiving gifts, and acts of service. Applying love language techniques to mending insecure attachments, can lead to couples understanding of one another's needs, and improve relationship satisfaction. Thus, this article advocates for clinicians’ assessing romantic attachment and love languages in couples therapy, to promote stronger, affectionate, empathic, and satisifying relationships.
Lay summary
Understanding your partner's needs can improve relationship satisfaction in relationships. Insecure romantic attachments may be strengthened by speaking your partner's love language. This article advocates for clinicians to assess for romantic attachment and love languages in couples therapy.
... We can observe that, certain behaviours have been found to date back thousands of years, even across cultural and religious practices and differences (Hughes & Camden, 2020, Bland & McQueen (2018. Markedly, extensive literature has been devoted to researching and evaluating the concept of gifting practices in its varying capacities. ...
... It has been employed internationally in government subsidized programs intent on improving relationships, by regular people globally (Bland & McQueen, 2018). Chapman's five love languages consist of criteria specific to particular relationship needs: words of affirmation; such as compliments, kind words and requests, quality time; undivided, focused attention, reflective empathetic listening, and mutual enjoyment and participation of shared activities, acts of service; practical actions such as completing an everyday task for a partner, physical touch; tactile expressions of love ranging from handholding, kissing to sex, and lastly the focal love language for this essay, gifts; that are visual symbols of affection, which can be purchased, found or made (Bland & McQueen, 2018;Hughes & Camden, 2020). ...
... When considering romantic relationship dynamics, love languages are an essential aspect to consider and implement with regards to emotional and physical bonding (Hughes & Camden, 2020;Nguyen & Munch, 2011). In their analysis, "Using Chapman's Five Love Languages Theory to Predict Love and Relationship Satisfaction", Jennifer L. Hughes and Abigail A. Camden explore Gary Chapman's love language theory in predicating love and satisfaction within romantic relationships (2020, p.234). ...
Gift giving practices vary across cultures, occasions, and sentiments. The practice of giving and receiving gifts is often associated with displays of affection; and socially speaking, portray care, love, commitment and security. The purpose of this paper is to focus on personal as well as relationship dynamics that effect gifting rituals within romantic relations and vice versa. In order to do this, I shall be reviewing and discussing present literature central to the topics of love languages, attachment styles, gifting perceptions, commitment, and ulterior motives; all of which play critical roles in personal and relationship development.
... Furthermore, the person who believed their spouses expressed love in their chosen love language, such as verbal affirmation and other love languages, reported higher levels of love and relationship satisfaction. This is due to the fact that partners want specific love language activities from their partners, and when they do, they feel more affection (Hughes, 2020). ...
Artificial intelligence has become a significant factor in every aspect of life, including health, education, and being a life partner for people. Researchers wanted to know how humans and artificial intelligence interacted, particularly in intimate relationships. This discovery raises the topic of how to best depict the closeness between humans and artificially intelligent machines. This study uses the qualitative method and the interpretive critical paradigm to investigate the behaviors and attitudes of a cultural group. This research uses Vetere’s intimacy theory as a concept Hall’s representation analysis and Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis that explore denotation and connotation. Data validity is ensured through triangulation analysis, which merges data from various sources for comparison. Self-disclosure involves personal information sharing, trust is built through non-verbal interactions, and commitment is shown through long-term actions such as gift-giving, gratitude, extending an invitation for a holiday, sexual activities, reassurances, providing assistance, and attention to detail. In conclusion, AI can develop further, one of which is developing emotions to establish closer relationships with humans. This can be proven by several results that have been mentioned. Future studies should investigate how feelings of love or emotion may be programmed into robots or artificial intelligence to create romantic relationships with humans.
... Bangla translation of the RAS was used in the present study as a criterion measure of GRAS. Responses in the RAS are recorded on a five-point Likert scale ('1 = strongly disagree' and '5 = strongly agree') for items 7,8,9,10,11. Remaining items in the RAS are reverse coded. ...
The development and validation of any scale measuring reciprocation anxiety induced from gift reciprocation contexts are yet to be addressed for intimate relationships. To this end, the present study aimed to develop and validate the gift reciprocation anxiety scale (GRAS) using modern psychometric methods for Bangladeshi youths and adults engaged in informal romantic and formal marital relationships. A total of 763 Bangladeshi youths of different public universities and adults in different professions with the ages ranged from 17 to 36 years were the study participants recruited through convenient sampling technique. Firstly, items were generated, and the content validity coefficients were determined through appropriate procedure to finalize the 7-item GRAS for administering on a large sample (n = 763). Next, the adequacy of the data for factor analysis was checked and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was done, extracting a single factor structure which was confirmed through the same factor retention using parallel analysis (PA). Model fit indices of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the unifactorial solution of GRAS. In addition, the item response theory (IRT) analyses confirmed that the items of the GRAS had high discriminative power, satisfactory threshold parameters, and covered a wide range of the latent trait. Mean inter-item correlations, corrected item-total correlations, and internal consistency reliabilities of the newly developed GRAS fall within the suggested limits. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) revealed that the GRAS can invariably be applied across gender, age, and marital status. A moderately positive association of GRAS with reciprocity anxiety, depression, and anxiety indicated the convergent validity of the scale. Altogether, GRAS has been found to be a psychometrically sound tool to objectively measure gift reciprocation anxiety in close relationships, implicating gift reciprocation less as an obligation and more as signs of trust, commitment, security, and care for ensuring better intimate relationships.
... In the third study, Hughes and Camden (2020) divided their sample into five groups based on primary love languages and examined whether, within each group, their perceptions that their partner spoke their primary love language predicted perceived love and relationship satisfaction. In line with Chapman's theory, across the board, satisfaction with their partner's primary love language behavior predicted greater perceived love and relationship satisfaction. ...
Chapman's claim that the key to marital happiness is “speaking” your partner's primary “love language” has been highly influential in pop culture and incorporated into therapeutic practice. However, the theory has not yet been empirically validated. The current study tests his theory, examining the hypothesis that satisfaction with one's partner's primary love language behavior predicts relationship satisfaction better than satisfaction with one's partner's nonprimary love language behavior. We recruited a sample ( n = 696, M = 43.8 years, 70% married, 97.3% cohabitating) through Amazon CloudResearch. Chapman's hypothesis was not supported. Participants' satisfaction with their partners' primary love language behavior no better‐predicted relationship satisfaction or perceived love than the lower‐ranked love languages. Words of Affirmation and Quality Time better predicted perceived love and relationship satisfaction than participants' primary love language. These results replicate previous research and suggest that these should remain targets of intervention for relationship therapists.
... (Egbert & Polk, 2006), (Cook et al., 2013) and (Surijah & Septiarly, 2016) examined the validity of the love languages themselves and whether the love languages are valid to measure one's. Meanwhile, several other researchers also examined the correlation between relationship satisfaction and love languages (Nichols et al., 2018), (Hughes & Camden, 2020), ...
The research focuses on the validity and reliability of a love language questionnaire tailored to the Indonesian context, where cultural nuances play a significant role in interpersonal relationships. The sampling technique in this study used a non-probability sampling method to determine the sample tested, where the population was married individuals in the Bone district. Therefore, the technique chosen was the purposive sampling method. Hence, this research consisted of 30 married individuals from the Bone district. A triangulation approach was applied to develop the questionnaire, combining linguistic analysis, psychological insight, and statistical rigor. This method ensured that the questionnaire captured the nuances of love languages in the Indonesian context. The Love Language Questionnaire was grouped into five indicators: acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, and physical touch. Each indicator consists of four positive and four negative statements. The type of analysis employed was inferential analysis. The analysis results revealed that 30 items scored above the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.361, indicating the validity of the items. In addition, Cronbach's alpha coefficients for all indicators exceeded 0.70, indicating reliability. The results indicate that the questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for research in psycholinguistics. The limitation wall that hindered the results was the lack of a proper understanding of the sociolinguistic nature of the research population.
... We illustrated ways to show appreciation to others in the workplace by sharing examples of 'languages of appreciation' in Hamrick and White's (2020) study which provided concrete examples of actions that people can take. Languages of appreciation are based on an adaptation of 'love languages' which only has a limited body of research that supports the idea (for example : Hughes & Camden, 2020) and also faces some criticism (Lewandowski, 2021). However, we decided the limited and mixed evidence would provide an opportunity to critique research in line with the MARKERS guiding principle 'challenge the evidence'. ...
Improving educator wellbeing presents a complex challenge due to the variety of influences on wellbeing at the individual, relational, and contextual (school and policy) levels. This complexity contributes to the gap between the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and their real-world success. To bridge this gap, it is essential to understand and adapt to school context when integrating psychological interventions into educational settings. This study addresses this gap through an approach to developing an educator wellbeing program that embraces the idea of understanding and adapting to context. We use a theory of change approach to designing a program, that outlines the context, design rationale, activities, and outcomes of the program. The program is multi-level, targeting influences on educator wellbeing at the individual, relational, and contextual (school) levels. Additionally, it employs a multi-foci strategy, encompassing a range of activities that target different levels and allow for adaptation. We present a case study of program implementation in one school, exploring contextual factors, adapting the program accordingly, and evaluating the degree to which theory of change outcomes were achieved. Program participants experienced improved wellbeing and a relational space characterised by more positive interactions with colleagues. This design and case study contribute to the ongoing discourse on progressing towards context-specific, whole-school approaches to wellbeing.
... This is in line with Chapman (2015) that the basic reasons for couples' relationship constraints emerge from speaking dissimilar love languages. This is also supported by Hughes and Camden (2020) study that a partner's perception using preferred intimate language enhances couples' relationship. ...
Language is essential for marital functioning and contentment. Conversely, couples in heterosexual monogamous intercultural marriages may experience exceptional challenges emanating from conveying or interpreting messages based on divergent cultures that influence their marital satisfaction. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of language on marital satisfaction among couples in intercultural marriages in Kiambu County, Kenya. Bowen Family System Theory (BFST) and Cognitive Behavioral Theory guided this study. Convergent mixed methods research design was applied in the study. The target population was 11,028 individuals in intercultural marriages with a sample size of 99 participants. Snowball sampling was helpful to recruit participants for the study. Data was collected using questionnaire that adapted relevant items from The Five Love Languages Test (FLL). Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics of means and standard deviation. Inferential statistics applied linear and multiple regression computed through SPSS version 25.0. Qualitative data was thematically analysed. Findings were presented in tables and respondents’ descriptions. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from accredited Institutional Review Board, National Council for Science and Technology and Kiambu County Government, Kenya. Findings of the study revealed that language has a positive, significant influence on marital satisfaction (β=0.872, p=0.000). This implies that an increase in marital language positively increases marital satisfaction by 0.872. Participants descriptions equally supported language influence on marital satisfaction. The study recommends that policy makers develop strategies that increase awareness of the importance of mental health services. The study also recommends further research by mental health professionals on the influence of language on couples’ marital satisfaction to attain comprehensive understanding which is crucial for couples’ marital management that boosts satisfaction.
For Poles living in exile during the nineteenth century, letters became
not just a means of communicating with their loved ones back in Poland
and scattered around the world; they also formed genuine ‘networks
of correspondence’ or – as Fryderyk Chopin himself put it in one
of his letters from 1845 – espaces imaginaires, imaginary spaces, created
for the purposes of specific epistolary communities. The question of
the existence of shared imaginary spaces (part of what Wanda Zagórska
termed a ‘culturally created reality’), created by means of letters and out
of a need to maintain lively relations with correspondents, is worth analysing
on the basis of the Polish composer’s correspondence. His letters
inform the reconstruction both of those epistolary imagined communities
and also of the spaces formed for those communities; thus they
concern both the question of epistolographic communication and also
geopoetics, which covers both ‘autobiographical places’ and ‘imaginary
places’.
Marriages, as a social institution, have long been a research focus. Due to numerous factors and a lack of studies on non-Western collectivistic groups, this study aims to explore the correlates of couple flourishing among married individuals in India. A purposive sampling technique was used, and 98 participants were administered the love language scale, intimate bonds measure, conflict resolution styles inventory and couple identity items. Data analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient indicates that flourishing shares significant correlations with couple identity, quality time as a love language, intimate bonds of care and control and various conflict resolution styles. While the increase in positive problem-solving increases flourishing, conflict engagement, withdrawal, and compliance have a varying negative association. The study contributes valuable insights for individuals, couples, and practitioners within the Indian context and urges a look into the role of quality time, care, and constructive conflict resolution in the flourishing of couples.
This literature tries to analyse the influence of Family Functioning on the Five Love Languages of an individual. The study examined how the Five Love Languages, namely, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Acts of Services and Gift Giving are influenced by the individual Family Functioning and upbringing. The study conducted on a sample size of 230 (N=230) administrated the Family APGAR Scale by (Smilkstein) and the Five Love Language Scale by (Dr. Chapman). The results were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated that there exists no significant relationship between Love Language and one's Family Functioning. Furthermore, it was noted that there was no significant difference in Family Functioning and Love Language among males and females.
The public has something of an obsession with love languages, believing that the key to lasting love is for partners to express love in each other’s preferred language. Despite the popularity of Chapman’s book The 5 Love Languages, there is a paucity of empirical work on love languages, and collectively, it does not provide strong empirical support for the book’s three central assumptions that (a) each person has a preferred love language, (b) there are five love languages, and (c) couples are more satisfied when partners speak one another’s preferred language. We discuss potential reasons for the popularity of the love languages, including the fact that it enables people to identify important relationship needs, provides an intuitive metaphor that resonates with people, and offers a straightforward way to improve relationships. We offer an alternative metaphor that we believe more accurately reflects a large body of empirical research on relationships: Love is not akin to a language one needs to learn to speak but can be more appropriately understood as a balanced diet in which people need a full range of essential nutrients to cultivate lasting love.
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