Deceptive Affection Across Relational Contexts: A Group Comparison of Romantic Relationships,Cross-Sex Friendships,and Friends With Benefits Relationships

Abstract

Communicating affection is important for developing and maintaining relationships; yet, it can be risky when it is used deceptively. Grounded in affection exchange theory (AET), the purpose of the present study is to test how types of deceptive affection—or incongruity between affection felt and expressed—predicts relational health differently across three relational contexts: romantic relationships (RRs), cross-sex friendships (CSFs), and friends with benefits relationships (FWBRs). Multiple group analyses using structural equation modeling (n = 526 college students) revealed varying relational types provide both intensified and withheld affection, with FWBRs experiencing both types of deceptive affection the most. Furthermore, intensified affection is positively related to relational health outcomes in RRs, and withheld affection negatively predicts relational health in FWBRs. Findings suggest that differences exist between relational types and both types of deceptive affection and relational health. Theoretical implications for expanding AET Postulates 3 and 5 are discussed.

Keywords

deceptive affection affection cross-sex friends friends with benefits romantic relationships relational health

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