State and trait affectionate communication buffer adults' stress reactions

Kory Floyd, Perry M. Pauley, Colin Hesse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study tested the prediction that affectionate communication is positively associated with the release of oxytocin in response to stressors. One hundred participants completed questionnaire measures about their personal relationships prior to participation in a laboratory session that included a series of standard laboratory stressors. Both state and trait affectionate communication predicted increases in oxytocin during exposure to stressors, an effect that was not moderated by sex. The results demonstrate the stress-buffering effect of affectionate interaction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)618-636
Number of pages19
JournalCommunication Monographs
Volume77
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • Affection exchange theory
  • Affectionate communication
  • Health
  • Hormones
  • Stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication
  • Language and Linguistics

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