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Nonverbal Decoding Skills and Relationship Well-Being in Adults

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relation between nonverbal decoding skills and relationship well-being. Sixty college students were administered tests of their abilities to identify the affective meanings in facial expressions and tones of voice. The students also completed self-report measures of relationship well-being and depression. Correlational analyses indicated that errors in decoding facial expressions and tones of voice were associated with less relationship well-being and greater depression. Hierarchical regression revealed that nonverbal decoding accuracy was significantly related to relationship well-being even after controlling for depression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Beloit College, USA

    John S. Carton, Emily A. Kessler & Christina L. Pape

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  1. John S. Carton
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  2. Emily A. Kessler
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  3. Christina L. Pape
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Carton, J.S., Kessler, E.A. & Pape, C.L. Nonverbal Decoding Skills and Relationship Well-Being in Adults. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 23, 91–100 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021339410262

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