Technology, Social Media, And Their Affect On Long-distance Relationships

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With recent advancements in technology (e-mail, phone, text, social media, and video conference), couples can manage and maintain their relationship with a simple touch of a button. Foremost, communication through technology is important to couples involved in long-distance relationships (LDRs), as the demand for relational development requires constant attention.

The term “long-distance relationship” can often carry a negative association for those seeking love. There is a perception that geographical distance will prevent a strong and happy relationship from developing; however, it does not deter all couples from staying together. LDRs are identified by several factors, including: distance, the length of a relationship, and time living apart. Reasons why couples (married or dating) find themselves in LDRs include career, college, military deployment, and/or preference.

In LDRs, relational dialectics contribute to the future or demise of an existing or developing relationship. To some, the benefit of living apart from their partner allows the individual to establish autonomy within the relationship while allowing a connection to their partner through communication. However, additional effort may be required to guarantee assurances to the partner who desires more security and closeness. Moreover, couples in LDRs have the freedom to attain privacy while also providing open communication when required by the situation. Therefore, it is pertinent to identify these trends in relational dialectics through four studies examining LDRs.

I became inquisitive about LDRs when a co-worker disclosed her husband lived in New York. I found their living arrangement interesting. She claimed it was not necessarily an obligation to live apart,...

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Reis, H. T. & Shaver, P. (1988). Intimacy as an interpersonal process. In S. Duck (Ed.), Handbook of personal relationship (pp. 367-389). Chichester, England: Wiley.

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Sidelinger, R. J., Ayash, G., Godorhazy, A., & Tibbles, D. (2008). Couples go online: Relational maintenance behaviors and relational characteristics use in dating relationships. Human Communication, 11, 341-356.

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