The Impact of Love Languages and Attachment Styles on Relationship Satisfaction among Married Couples

Abstract

The concept of “love language” has recently been emerging as a variable to study relationship dynamics, which pertains to how individuals like to express and receive love (Chapman, 1992). This study aimed to investigate the impact of love language and attachment styles on relationship satisfaction among married couples in Pakistan. Additionally, the study explored how socio-demographic factors influence these dynamics. Approval for the study was obtained from the university's research ethics committee of the Psychology department, and the study was completed within six months. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed. The sample comprised 180 married couples (N = 360 individuals) recruited through purposive sampling from urban areas of Pakistan. Data were collected using validated instruments, including the Love Languages scale (Egbert & Polk, 2006), Experience in Close Relationship Scale – Short Form (Wei et al., 2007), and the Relationship Assessment Scale (Dicke & Hendrick, 1998). Findings revealed that love languages such as acts of service and physical touch positively predicted marital satisfaction, while avoidance was consistently detrimental. Regression analyses identified physical touch, words of affirmation, and gifts as significant positive predictors of satisfaction, while avoidance emerged as a strong negative predictor. The number of children negatively impacted marital satisfaction and most love languages. ANOVA results highlighted the importance of gifts in early marriage, with other love languages remaining stable over time. Attachment styles and marital satisfaction were unaffected by marriage duration, supporting their stability. This study underscores the significance of love language alignment and secure attachment in fostering marital satisfaction, offering valuable insights for counseling and therapy