Emotional Closeness Research Articles

Adult sibling relationships and media multiplexity theory

Sibling relationships are among the longest-lasting relationships in people’s lives. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including voice calls, texting, and social media, help adult siblings keep in touch. The present study tests media multiplexity theory (MMT) in the context of adult sibling relationships. In the first study, a quota sample of American adults completed several name listing tasks to identify their most important relationship partners, ranging from 0 to 16 people, and 29% of participants listed at least one sibling. Multilevel modeling (MLM) results found that emotional closeness between siblings was positively associated with the frequency of phone calls and emails and negatively associated with the frequency of person-to-person media sharing. Showing mixed support for MMT, the number of ICTs used was negatively associated with emotional closeness, but the overall frequency of ICT use was positively associated with closeness. In the second study, a quota sample of American adults identified six of their closest friendships, and siblings constituted 2.9% of friends listed. MLM results found that the frequency of phone calls and text messages between siblings was positively associated with emotional closeness. The number of ICTs used was unrelated to emotional closeness, but the overall frequency of ICT use was positively associated with closeness, showing partial support for MMT. Both studies suggested that the frequency of communicating across ICTs was associated with greater life satisfaction, accounting for sibling closeness.

Digital Communication in work and family life in Europe

ABSTRACT This special issue brings together innovative research on the use and implications of digital communication in work and family life. It examines the context dependence of the use of digital communication and the consequences for work-family integration and conflict in a comparative design. It also broadens the perspective to new technological developments. The editorial gives an overview of the existing literature and presents the main findings of the articles in this special issue. It also provides initial descriptive information on digital communication with children, parents, line managers and colleagues, based on the initiated module on ‘Digital Social Contacts in Work and Family Life’ in the European Social Survey Round 10. There are apparent differences across European countries, social groups (age, gender, migration background, class) and with respect to the inclusion in the labor market (in paid employment, working from home, occupational status). Overall, the special issue demonstrates that digital communication in work and family life is interrelated, is inherent to gendered strategies to combine work and family, and is also a matter of digital skills, emotional and physical closeness and the institutional context. Work-family conflict enhancing implications are identified but do not seem to be an indispensable attribute.

Experiences With Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood and Adult Attachment in a Sample of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals

To the best of our knowledge, no research has been conducted specifically examining the influence of physical and emotional sibling violence on adult attachment in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. To address this gap, we conducted an exploratory research study using survey methods and asked a sample of 150 participants about their experiences with physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood and attachment in close relationships in adulthood. We found an association between physical and emotional sibling violence and closeness to and dependency on others in adulthood, but no association with fear of abandonment and rejection by others. Implications include the need for psychoeducation and for practitioners to assess for physical and emotional sibling violence when working with individuals and families with members who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

Husbandry Conditions and Welfare State of Pet Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and Caretakers' Perceptions of Stress and Emotional Closeness to Their Animals.

For pet chinchillas, limited data are available on husbandry and the human-animal relationship despite their impact on health, behavior, and welfare. We conducted an online survey with pet chinchilla caretakers (n = 336), targeting husbandry practices, health, behavioral indicators of welfare, and human-chinchilla relationships. We further investigated associations between caretakers' perceptions of stress in their chinchillas and emotional closeness to their animals. Basic needs such as keeping with conspecifics, constant access to water and hay, or offering dust baths were mostly fulfilled. Potential welfare issues included individual keeping (14.3%), undersized cages/enclosures (reported by 27.6% of the Austrian respondents), and suffering from a disease (14.7%). Behavioral indicators of good welfare, such as playing and cuddling with conspecifics, were observed several times per day by 40.9% and 87.9% of the respondents, respectively. Repetitive and unwanted behaviors were less common (fur biting, for instance, occurred 'never' in 82.9%). Caretakers rated their animals as generally more stressed if the animal was ill and more often showed fearful behavior toward them. Caretakers feeling closer to their animals spent more time engaging with them. Correct identification of this kind of association could be used as guidance for recommendations to improve chinchilla welfare at home and in the veterinary setting.

Digital and other forms of contact between older European parents and children: the role of internet use, digital skills, emotional and geographical distance

ABSTRACT Guided by the intergenerational solidarity model and leveraging rich data from the European Social Survey round 10 (2020–2022), we examine the role of internet use, digital skills, emotional and geographical distance in influencing various forms of contact between parents aged 60 or above and their children. Emotional closeness emerges as a universal driver of contact of all forms. Geographical proximity is positively associated with face-to-face interactions, but negatively with video calls. Internet use and digital skills positively associate with digital contact. Our findings suggest that fostering digital inclusion among older adults is crucial, emphasizing the role of digital literacy in maintaining family connections in a digital world. Overall, our study provides insights into adapting familial bonds amidst the digital transformation.

Preservation of Bima Language Vocabulary in the Bima Community Who Live in Mataram

Language is not just a means of communication in the relationship between mother and child, but rather reflects the emotional closeness between the two. More than that, language forms a person's character, even as a vehicle for addressing spiritual values for society. This research uses qualitative descriptive research. Data collection methods are observation, interviews and recording. How to determine informants in this research uses an approach snowball sampling Where the technique for determining data sources is that if the number of informants can meet the objectives, then the data is considered valid. The data analysis technique in this research is qualitative descriptive analysis technique. The results of this research show that the Bima language in the Bima community who live in Mataram is able to survive, even though the Bima language is in the midst of the Sasak tribe community which uses Sasak language as the majority language.

Behavioral and emotional co-modulation during dog–owner interaction measured by heart rate variability and activity

Behavioral and physiological synchrony facilitate emotional closeness in attachment relationships. The aim of this pseudorandomized cross-over study was to investigate the emotional and physiological link, designated as co-modulation, between dogs and their owners. We measured the heart rate variability (HRV) and physical activity of dogs belonging to co-operative breeds (n = 29) and their owners during resting baselines and positive interaction tasks (Stroking, Training, Sniffing, Playing) and collected survey data on owner temperament and dog–owner relationship. Although overall HRV and activity correlated between dogs and their owners across tasks, task-specific analyses showed that HRV of dogs and owners correlated during free behaving (Pre- and Post-Baseline), whereas the activity of dogs and owners correlated during predefined interaction tasks (Stroking and Playing). Dog overall HRV was the only predictive factor for owner overall HRV, while dog height, ownership duration, owner negative affectivity, and dog–owner interaction scale predicted dog overall HRV. Thus, the characteristics of dog, owner, and the relationship modified the HRV responses in dog–owner dyads. The physiology and behavior of dogs belonging to co-operative breeds and their owners were therefore co-modulated, demonstrating physiological and emotional connection comparable to those found in attachment relationships between humans.

Impact of Mother Employment on Children Socialization in District Mardan

This study explores the impact of maternal employment on child socialization in Mardan, Pakistan. Through purposive sampling, fourteen working mothers were interviewed, and thematic analysis revealed eleven key themes. The findings suggest that maternal employment reduces the quality of time spent with children, affecting communication, emotional closeness, and the development of independence and responsibility. Concerns were also noted about increased aggression, insecurity, and academic performance in children. The study emphasizes the need for family and employer support to help working mothers balance their responsibilities and highlights the broader societal benefits of women's workforce participation.

Sexual Health and Psychological Well-Being: An Examination of the Interactions between Sexual Satisfaction, Relationship Dynamics, And Mental Health

This study comprehensively examines the relationships between sexual health and psychological well-being, focusing on sexual satisfaction, relationship dynamics, and mental health. The primary objective of this research is to determine how individuals' levels of sexual satisfaction impact their psychological well-being and to understand the dynamics of this relationship. While existing literature widely discusses the positive effects of sexual satisfaction on individuals' overall mental health and quality of life, this research aims to analyze these interactions from a more unique perspective. Utilizing quantitative methods, including statistical analyses such as independent sample t-tests, the study compares face-to-face and online data sets. The findings reveal that sexual satisfaction has a significant and robust impact on psychological well-being. It was observed that sexual satisfaction enhances individuals' capacity to cope with stress, reduces anxiety levels, and improves overall mental health. Additionally, relationship dynamics, particularly factors such as emotional alignment and closeness with a partner, significantly strengthen the interaction between sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being. In this context, the study sheds light on the interdependent dynamics of sexual health and psychological well-being, offering critical insights for clinical practice in this area. Enhancing sexual satisfaction could substantially improve individuals' quality of life and mental health. Therefore, it is recommended that sexual health topics receive greater emphasis in psychotherapy and counseling processes.

Efficacy of behavioural parent training on attachment security in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundBehavioural parent training (BPT) is a psychosocial intervention designed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). BPT programs teach parents to use effective commands or rules whilst encouraging them to pay careful attention to their child’s appropriate behaviour. In this study, we will investigate the efficacy of BPT on parental stress, mothers’ sense of emotional closeness to their children, and children’s attachment security to their mothers. We will also examine the effects of BPT on children’s internalising and externalising symptoms, ADHD symptoms, and sensitivity to rewards and punishments compared to usual care alone. The use of bias-prone assessment tools limits the ability of previous studies to assess effectiveness. Therefore, in this study, the child’s attachment security will be assessed in a structured interview conducted by assessors blinded to group allocation, and brain changes will be assessed using magnetic resonance imaging.MethodsThis randomised controlled clinical trial will aim to compare the efficacy of BPT to routine clinical care for 60 children with ADHD. Participants will be randomised, with stratification by medication status for ADHD (medicated or non-medicated). The BPT intervention group will receive parent training weekly for 10 weeks in a group of six or less. The primary outcome measure will be changes in parental stress. Furthermore, the key secondary outcome measure will be the child’s attachment security, which will be assessed in an interview conducted by assessors blinded to group allocation. We will also evaluate changes in neural connectivity in both children and mothers using magnetic resonance imaging. Other secondary outcomes will include child behavioural problems, ADHD symptoms, emotional regulation, child sensitivity to rewards and punishments, parental behaviour, and the child and parent’s social support network following the completion of 10 sessions.DiscussionThis study represents the first randomised controlled trial exploring the efficacy of BPT on child attachment security and mothers’ sense of emotional closeness to their children. It aims to provide robust evidence to assist parents of children with ADHD in making appropriate treatment decisions.Trial registrationUMIN000038693. Registered on November 9, 2019.

Psychometric Properties of a Self-Perception Questionnaire for Adults with Suspected Misophonia

Misophonia is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or stimuli associated with such sounds, called triggers. The aim was to validate a questionnaire on self-perception of the type of sound, visual identification, and origin of sounds in adults with suspected misophonia by Spanish-speaking people. An interview was conducted with a total of 395 participants, divided into four distinct blocks of questions: the trigger of misophonia, the visual identification of gestures or actions related to selective sounds, the emotional closeness between listener and sender, and the impact on the daily personal relationships of the person with misophonia. Each block used classical test theory to factorially validate the instrument. The first group of questions gave as a result four factors: mouth and throat sounds, environmental sounds, material sounds, and pronunciation sounds (Cronbach’s alpha = .929; KMO = 0.894). The second group identified two dimensions of reaction to actions and gestures, one related to movements of the mouth and throat and the second to body movements or exaggerated gesticulation (Cronbach’s alpha = .840; KMO = 0.819). The third block linked low and high emotional closeness factors (Cronbach’s alpha = .690; KMO = 0.633). The fourth block obtained a factor for daily chores and another for affective relationships (Cronbach’s alpha = .861; KMO = 0.820). The questionnaire offers valuable insights into the nature of misophonia, and the necessity for further research in this field. These findings emphasize the importance of developing a comprehensive understanding of misophonia to enhance diagnosis.

Tourism Impacts on Local Residents Emotional Solidarity with Tourists: The Case of Mersin

Tourism affects the living conditions of local residents in the destinations where it develops in environmental, economic and sociocultural terms. In particular, the rise in the quality of life due to economic contributions of the sector to the region also affects the perceptions of local individuals towards tourism impacts and the way and level of communication with tourists. Emotional solidarity (ES), which examines the relationship between local residents and tourists in detail, is essential in terms of increasing the contribution to tourism development, the tendency of tourists to visit again, and the income of the region from tourism. Accordingly, the objective of the study was to detect the effects of the positive and adverse impacts of tourism on the ES of local residents with tourists. Regression analysis, correlation analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to analyze the research data. The research data were collected both face-to-face and online from individuals residing in Mersin province. The positive impacts of tourism were determined to have positive and significant effects on the 3 dimensions of ES, namely welcoming tourists (WT), emotional closeness (EC), and sympathetic understanding (SU). Besides, it was detected that the adverse impacts had an adverse and significant effect only on WT.

The impact of emotional solidarity on festivals visitors' satisfaction. Does the festival authenticity matter?

Festivals offer more than just entertainment, it considered a powerful platform for emotional connection and cultural exchange. This study explores the impact of emotional solidarity on festival visitors' satisfaction. It also examines the moderating role of festival authenticity in the relationship between emotional solidarity and festival visitors’ satisfaction. Quantitative approach using 456 self-administered questionnaire directed to festival visitors in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The findings reveal that all three dimensions of emotional solidarity welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding have a direct and significant positive impact on visitors' satisfaction. Furthermore, festival authenticity plays as a moderator between emotional solidarity dimensions and festival visitors’ satisfaction. The study discusses both theoretical and practical implications of these findings for festival organizers and tourism researchers.

Kin investment biases of aunts and uncles: associations with phenotypic resemblance and sociodemographic characteristics.

Higher investment in maternal than paternal aunts and uncles is explained by the "paternity uncertainty hypothesis". Regardless of laterality, however, aunts show a greater degree of investment than uncles, which is attributed to sex-specific reproductive strategies. Resemblance cues can be used as indicators of genetic relatedness. The central hypothesis of the current study was that perceived phenotypic resemblance between aunts/uncles and niblings would be associated with aunts' and uncles' investment. The association was predicted to be stronger with respect to patrilateral than matrilateral aunts and uncles and stronger with respect to patrilateral aunts than patrilateral uncles. 243 Iranians aged between 15 and 50 participated in a retrospective analysis and filled out a 52-item questionnaire focusing on the solicitude, emotional closeness, and contact frequency between aunts/uncles and their nephews/nieces. In addition, the participants had to rate their phenotypic resemblance with their aunts and uncles. Aunts' and uncles' solicitude, emotional closeness, and contact frequency were differentially expressed according to sex and laterality. Maternal aunts showed the significantly highest emotional closeness, contact frequency, and investment, while the opposite was true for paternal uncles. Moreover, investment was correlated with phenotypic resemblance. Such association was stronger for patrilateral than matrilateral aunts and uncles, and concerning solicitude it was stronger for patrilateral aunts than patrilateral uncles. The resemblance-based kin recognition mechanism among aunts and uncles was self- rather than family-referent. In conclusion, phenotypic similarity can be used as a cue to genetic kinship and is correlated with the investment of aunts and uncles. However, such associations also depend on the degree of genetic relatedness and the differential kin investment provided by each sex.

PELATIHAN PENGOLAHAN DAUN KELOR SEBAGAI STRATEGI PENCEGAHAN STUNTING DI DESA SUKAMUKTI

One of the village governments indirectly involved in preventing and addressing stunting in the Sukamukti Village area is the Sukamukti Village Government in the Bojongmangu District. However, there have been few interventions regarding health issues, especially children's nutrition adequacy in Sukamukti Village. Consequently, stunting has become a major health problem related to children's nutritional needs. The only effort made by the Sukamukti Village Government to prevent stunting is by conducting routine integrated health post activities for pregnant women and toddlers every month. The aim of community service activities in Sukamukti Village is to enhance nutritional knowledge, teach skills in processing locally-sourced complementary feeding like moringa leaf juice, and improve the community's economy through SMEs. The moringa leaf processing training has realized various activities according to plan. First, observation activities were conducted to identify the right targets and obtain permission from local agencies. Second, program planning was carried out to gather several groups and create emotional closeness to ensure smooth implementation. Third, socialization activities were conducted by providing training materials on moringa leaf processing as a stunting prevention strategy in Sukamukti Village. This community service enhances skills, improves nutrition in consumption, and offers broader marketing potential if moringa leaf juice products are turned into SMEs. Additionally, the training provides additional economic benefits by utilizing moringa leaves for various food and beverage variations.

Decoding millennials and generation Z consumers' brand behaviors in the Metaverse: The relationships among avatar identification, self‐presence, and psychological dynamics

AbstractThis study investigated the impact of consumer avatar identification on purchase intentions in the Metaverse, examining the roles of self‐presence, emotional closeness, and perceived appropriateness of brand strategies. A total of 312 individuals aged 18–42 years old (comprising millennials and Generation Z) participated in an online survey. The findings indicated that wishful identification significantly fosters self‐presence and emotional closeness compared to similarity identification. Moreover, the heightened emotional closeness to avatars positively influences the perceived appropriateness of brand strategies, subsequently influencing purchase intentions. The study reinforced the importance of understanding consumer avatar relationships in virtual environments for effective brand engagement, suggesting that wishful identification might be more influential in shaping brand perceptions and consumer behaviors in the Metaverse. This study contributes to the existing literature on consumer behavior by investigating the dynamics of consumer behavior of the Metaverse, where consumers' brand experiences are predominantly mediated through avatars.

Impact of sincere social interaction on tourist citizenship behavior——Perspective from “self” and “relationships

Research on tourist citizenship behavior (TCB) has gained increasing attention. However, the influence of host-tourist interaction on TCB is yet to be thoroughly explored. Utilizing the social information processing theory, this study develops a dual-mediation model to examine the influence of sincere social interaction on TCB, considering the perspectives of “self” and “relationship”, and examining the moderating effect of self-construal. The study empirically tests the moderated dual-mediation model. The results indicate that sincere social interaction directly impacts on TCB. Psychological comfort and emotional closeness mediate the relationship between sincere social interaction and TCB. Tourists' self-construal moderates the impact of sincere social interaction on emotional closeness, and sincere social interaction indirectly influences TCB through emotional closeness. The results underscore the substantial impact of sincere social interaction in fostering TCB, offering a comprehensive theoretical insight into the precise mechanisms by which sincere social interaction shapes TCB.

How Residents' Perceived Justice and Emotional Solidarity Interact With Their Quality of Life and Support for Tourism Development?

ABSTRACTCurrent study developed and validated an integrated model for examining the relationships among perceived justice, residents' quality of life, emotional solidarity, and support for tourism development. Study's integral model was estimated by using covariance based structural equation modeling with the help of 365 sample data. Procedural justice was discovered as the most reliable indicator of residents' quality of life. Additionally, it was discovered that inhabitants' support for tourism development was most strongly predicted with emotional closeness, followed by welcoming nature, and sympathetic understanding. Results confirmed that locals' support for tourism development is primarily due to procedural justice, which is followed by distributive and interactional justice. Findings also supported the hypothesis that residents' quality of life predicts their support for tourism development. Academic contributions and practical implications of the study are discussed at large.

Choosing Your Sports Partners: Assessing Selection Preferences Through Observational and Experimental Studies

ABSTRACT Previous research has demonstrated the positive impact of doing sports together on maintaining physical activity levels. Yet, there remains a gap in understanding the selection processes leading to sports partnerships. We address this question using a two-study design. Study 1 examines longitudinal ego-network data; we analyze data of 1,222 sports partnerships among 409 Dutch university students. We find that emotional closeness, rather than skill similarity, is a key determinant of sports partnership continuation over time. We do not find that the sports setting in which sports partnerships are embedded (i.e. sports clubs, informal groups, commercial gyms, unorganized settings) affect the stability of sports partnerships. Study 2 employs a discrete choice experiment, in which individuals are tasked to choose a sports partner out of choice-sets consisting of three sports partners who vary in the types of motivations and resources they offer (i.e. social comparison, knowledge, companionship, encouragement). People express a strong preference for sports partners who emphasize social aspects of sports, but as individuals become more active, sports partners who emphasize social comparison and who are knowledgeable about sports gain attractiveness. We discuss the implications of these findings for tailored strategies leveraging social networks to promote sports participation.

Responding responsively: Benefits of responsive racism-specific support for Black college students in same- and cross-race friendships.

Black people seek racism-specific support (RSS)-social support in response to racism-from same-race (vs. cross-race) friends because they feel more understood by Black friends. The present study tested whether supportive and responsive (i.e., validating) RSS from Black or non-Black friends differentially influenced friendship dynamics and factors associated with Black support-seekers' psychological well-being (e.g., affect). Same-race (Black/Black; ndyad = 17) and cross-race (Black/non-Black; ndyad = 29) friendship dyads (Mage = 20.25, SD = 3.26) discussed an experience of racism. Both friends rated the supportiveness and responsiveness of RSS (or support) and completed pre- and postconversation measures (e.g., affect, emotional closeness). Supportive and responsive RSS predicted increased closeness between same- and cross-race friends. Responsive RSS predicted increased postconversation positive affect for Black support-seekers talking to same-race (vs. cross-race) friends. Exploratory analyses revealed support-providers also perceived support-seekers as providing responsiveness during exchanges. Responsive and supportive RSS predicted positive cross-race friendship outcomes, and responsive RSS, especially among same-race friends, predicted improvement in Black support-seekers' affective reactions associated with psychological well-being. Moreover, the role of seeking and providing support might be dynamic, particularly when Black friends talk about racism with other friends of color. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).