Research
My research focuses on the communication of affection in families, romantic bonds, friendships, and other close relationships.
Humans are such a social species that having close, satisfying relationships is fundamental to our well-being. Affectionate communication—which includes the verbal and nonverbal ways we express feelings of love and appreciation—is a primary behavior for the development and maintenance of such relationships. When our needs for affection are met, we thrive physically, mentally, and socially, but when our needs are thwarted, our wellness can suffer.
My work uses both psychophysiological and survey methods to explore the benefits of affectionate communication for mental health, relationship satisfaction, immunocompetence, and stress management. I also explore the genetic antecedents of people’s affectionate communication tendencies and the deficits that people experience when their affection needs go unmet.