Affection Deprivation is Conceptually and Empirically Distinct From Loneliness

Abstract

Due in part to its contributions to physical health and mental well-being, the communication of affection has received much empirical attention in recent years and has been argued to be a fundamental human need. Working from that premise, Floyd (2014b) advanced the theoretic construct of affection deprivation, an acute or chronic state in which one fails to receive the level of affection he or she desires from others. Affection deprivation is empirically associated with multiple relational and health-related outcomes, but its focus on being deprived of meaningful communication and connection with others raises a legitimate question about its distinctiveness from loneliness. This article argues for a conceptual distinction between affection deprivation and loneliness, reanalyzing the original data from Floyd (2014b), and analyzing newly collected data, to show that affection deprivation and loneliness are empirically distinct as well.