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Affectionate displays boost relationship satisfaction across cultures despite varying social norms

Displays of affection, such as hugging, kissing and holding hands, can be good for your health. They can reduce stress, boost mood and improve quality of life. Being affectionate in both public and private is also linked to happier relationships. But how much do differences in how willing partners are to show affection influence relationship satisfaction?

Public displays of affection (PDA) tend to be determined by cultural and religious norms. While common in countries such as the United States, Canada and across Europe, they are taboo or even illegal in others—for example, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Now, in a study in PLOS One, researchers from the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, have compared the relationship between public and private displays of affection and relationship satisfaction across different cultures.

The team recruited 461 adults aged 18 to 49 in heterosexual relationships from three countries: 171 (72 men and 99 women) from Poland, 170 (62 men and 108 women) from Indonesia, and 120 (56 men and 64 women) from Nepal. The countries were chosen for their differences in religion, level of individualism and traditional norms around PDAs.

Measuring affection

Researchers used the Public and Private Romantic Display of Affection Scale (PPRDAS), a tool that measures how people in relationships express affection publicly and privately. Participants were also asked to evaluate the quality of their romantic relationship on a scale from 1 (very unsuccessful) to 5 (very successful).

Across all three countries, a clear and positive link was found between public and private displays of affection and relationship satisfaction. Nepali participants reported the highest level of relationship satisfaction, followed by Polish and then Indonesian participants.

The study also revealed how cultural norms affect these displays.

In Poland, where negative attitudes and behaviors toward PDAs are least common, participants reported the highest levels of public displays of affection. In Indonesia, where negative attitudes toward PDAs are most common, participants reported the lowest levels of affectionate displays. Regarding private displays of affection, Polish participants led the way, scoring higher than Nepali and Indonesian participants.

The researchers write, "Our findings highlight the influence of cultural norms on the expression of romantic affection and suggest that relationship satisfaction is closely tied to affectionate behaviors, albeit with variations shaped by cultural context. "

These findings can help therapists and couples navigate relationship difficulties. They show that encouraging affectionate behavior while respecting cultural norms can strengthen romantic bonds.

Additionally, they can help the travel industry educate visitors to different countries about local norms regarding displays of affection.