Human affection exchange: II. Affectionate communication in father-son relationships.
The father-son dyad might be the most socially significant male-male relationship in the life course, yet its negative qualities have been the sole focus in most research on the relationship. One communicative aspect that has received little scholarly attention is the expression of affection between fathers and sons, despite the strong correlation of affectionate communication with positive involvement, closeness, and relational satisfaction for fathers and sons. In 2 studies, the authors tested hypotheses about father-son affection that were derived from affection exchange theory (K. Floyd, in press). Results indicated that U.S. men are more affectionate with biological sons than with stepsons or adopted sons and that they are more affectionate with their biological sons than their biological sons are with them.
Floyd
Kory
K
College of Public Programs, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1205, USA. kory@asu.edu
Morman
Mark T
MT
D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged