LOVE LEARNED EARLY: HOW CHILDHOOD SOCIAL SUPPORT CAPITAL INFLUENCES ROMANTIC LOVE

Abstract Background of the Study: It is widely believed that love is a learned behavior, with the common assumption that children who experience love and support are more likely to develop healthy, loving relationships, while those exposed to abuse may continue cycles of abuse in their own partnerships. This study aims to investigate how social support experienced in childhood influences the capacity for marital love in adulthood, addressing the potential long-term impact of early social experiences on later relational dynamics. Method: A total of 114 adults (mean age = 38.4, SD = 6.15) participated in the study. Respondents completed self-administered, individual self-reported questionnaires, standardized and distributed online via Google Forms. The data focused on assessing the relationship between the level of social support perceived during childhood and the dimensions of love in adult relationships, including emotional intimacy, commitment, and passion. Results: As hypothesized, the results indicated a significant positive association between the social support felt during childhood and the ability to experience and express love in adulthood. Respondents who reported higher levels of childhood social support demonstrated stronger love dimensions in their adult relationships, suggesting that a nurturing early environment contributes to healthier relational outcomes later in life. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the crucial role of childhood social support in shaping an individual’s capacity for love and emotional connection in adulthood. These results underscore the importance of early positive social experiences for the development of healthy, long-lasting marital relationships, providing valuable insights for interventions and strategies aimed at fostering emotional well-being from childhood through adulthood. results highlight the importance of addressing family conflict to mitigate its potential negative effects on child development. Keywords: social support, love, adults, qualitative research.