THIRD PARTY EFFECTS OF AFFECTIONATE COMMUNICATION IN FAMILY SUBSYSTEMS: EXAMINING INFLUENCE ON AFFECTIONATE COMMUNICATION, MENTAL WELL-BEING, AND FAMILY SATISFACTION

Author

Timothy M. Curran, The University of MontanaFollow

Year of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Communication Studies

Department or School/College

Department of Communication Studies

Committee Chair

Stephen Yoshimura

Commitee Members

Alan Sillars, Jeff Bookwalter

Keywords

satisfaction, third party, interpersonal, well-being, family, affection

Abstract

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 child’s report of affectionate communication exchanged in the child/father subsystem is associated with mother’s 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 one’s 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.

Recommended Citation

Curran, Timothy M., "THIRD PARTY EFFECTS OF AFFECTIONATE COMMUNICATION IN FAMILY SUBSYSTEMS: EXAMINING INFLUENCE ON AFFECTIONATE COMMUNICATION, MENTAL WELL-BEING, AND FAMILY SATISFACTION" (2014). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4278.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4278