Abstract

Effective communication is crucial for developing and maintaining healthy romantic relationships. Young adults striving for enduring partnerships must consistently invest effort in expressing affection and cultivating a romantic atmosphere. This article investigates how young adult couples in Malaysia manage romantic communication and its effects on relationship development, utilizing Knapp’s Relational Stages Model (1978) as a framework. Employing a qualitative approach, the research involved in-depth interviews via Webex with 12 Malaysian young adults aged 21 to 25, all of whom were in the bonding stage of their relationships. While Knapp's model posits five distinct stages (bonding, differentiating, circumscribing, avoiding, and terminating), this study reveals a cyclical pattern within each stage. Before progressing to the next stage, couples appear to reiterate all five phases, suggesting a recursive dynamic in relationship development. Specifically, within the bonding stage itself, five phases mirroring Knapp's stages were identified: bonding, differentiating, circumscribing, avoiding, and terminating. These phases manifested across cognitive (verbal expressivity), affective (positive feelings), and behavioural (showing affection) aspects of couple interactions. Results indicate that couple talk involves these distinct phases and aspects, often mediated through various modern channels, to intensify romantic bonds. Effective communication can improve interaction quality and stress management, while poor communication can lead to arguments. This study underscores the importance of understanding romantic communication cycles within the sociocultural context of Malaysia and suggests enhancements for communication practices within relevant institutions.