Assurances

An additional maintenance tactic is assurances: messages that emphasize how much a partner means to you, how important the relationship is, and that describe a secure future together. Assurances may be expressed directly, such as saying, “I love you” or “I can’t see myself ever being with anyone but you.” You may also communicate assurances more indirectly, by emphasizing the value you place on your time together—for example, sending a text message saying, “I can’t wait to see you again” (Rabby, 1997). You use assurances when:

You undermine assurances when: