Descriptive Experiences and Sexual vs. Nurturant Aspects of Cuddling between Adult Romantic Partners

Arch Sex Behav (2013) 42:553560 DOI 10.1007/s10508-012-0014-8

ORIGINAL PAPER

Descriptive Experiences and Sexual vs. Nurturant Aspects of Cuddling between Adult Romantic Partners

Sari M. van Anders Robin S. Edelstein

Ryan M. Wade Chelsea R. Samples-Steele

Received: 14February 2011 / Revised: 4 October 2011 / Accepted: 1 June 2012 / Published online: 16 October 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Abstract Touch is a critical factor in intimate bonds between romantic partners. Although cuddling is a key expression of intimacy, it has received little empirical attention. Past research suggests that cuddling has some sexual aspects (e.g., it increases testosterone [T]), but there are theoretical reasons to expect cuddling to also involve nurturant intimacy (which should decrease T). In this article, we examined the phenomenon of partner cuddling to:(1) provide a descriptive examination; (2) determine if cuddling involved only nurturant intimacy or also sexual intimacy; and (3) test whether cuddling was perceived as nurturant but experienced as sexual. Via an online questionnaire, 514 participants (338 women) responded to quantitative and qualitative questions about cuddling with their romantic partners. Results suggested that cuddling occurred frequently and for relatively long durations, and was viewed very positively. Findings also showed that cuddling was perceived as nurturant and non-sexual but was experienced as at least somewhat sexual, which may explain why past research had found that cuddling increased T. Correlational analyses linked cuddling frequency and enjoyment positively with partnered sexual activities, but negatively with solitary sexuality. Results were discussed relative to evolutionary theories of distinct but overlapping neurobiological systems underlying pair bonding that involve sexual and nurturant intimacy.

Keywords Cuddling Pair bond Romantic relationship

Sex Gender Kissing

Introduction

Close physical contact is one of the dening features of intimate relationships across the lifespan (Bowlby, 1973; Field, 2001;Hertenstein,Verkamp,Kerestes,&Holmes,2006).Touch is one of the rst senses to develop (Gallace & Spence, 2010; Myslivecek, 1991), and is one of the primary components of intimacy in adult romantic relationships (Brennan, Wu, & Loev, 1998; Thayer, 1986). Correlational evidence suggests that greater frequency of physical affection in romantic relationships is positively associated with relationship satisfaction (Bell, Daly, & Gonzalez, 1987; Gulledge, Gulledge, & Stahmannn, 2003) and psychological intimacy (Brennan et al., 1998), even among individuals in very long-term relationships of 30 years (Mackey, Diemer, & OBrien, 2000).