Adolescent Romantic Relationship–Oriented Facebook Behaviors: Implications for Self-Esteem

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 661-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Langlais ◽  
Gwendolyn Seidman ◽  
Kyla M. Bruxvoort
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Relationship Development ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Public Displays

Despite the consistent, high use of Facebook among adolescents, few studies have examined how adolescents use Facebook when forming and maintaining romantic relationships. Based on the Internet-enhanced self-disclosure hypothesis, romantic relationship–oriented Facebook behaviors are likely to relate to adolescent self-esteem. The goal of this study is to examine romantic relationship–oriented Facebook behaviors (private exchanges, monitoring, public displays, and oversharing information) between adolescents and their romantic partners or crushes, and then test how these behaviors relate to self-esteem. Data come from an online survey of adolescents from the Midwestern United States who are current Facebook users. Results demonstrated that the most common romantic relationship–oriented Facebook behavior was monitoring. Regression analyses revealed that monitoring predicted lower adolescent self-esteem. Relationship satisfaction moderated the association between self-esteem and both private exchanges and oversharing information. Implications for adolescent romantic relationship development are discussed.

Examining Whether Social Anxiety Influences Satisfaction in Romantic Relationships

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Frances L. Doyle ◽  
Andrew J. Baillie ◽  
Erica Crome
Keyword(s):  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Socially Anxious ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Relationship Processes ◽  
Conflict Initiation ◽  
Romantic Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract Research investigating social anxiety and the impacts on romantic relationships remains scarce. An online questionnaire examining romantic relationship status, social anxiety and depression symptomology, relationship satisfaction, and several relationship processes was completed by 444 adults. Individuals with higher social anxiety were less likely to be in romantic relationships. For the 188 adults in our sample in current relationships, relationship satisfaction was not influenced by social anxiety when controlling for depression. Although it was proposed that self-disclosure, social support, trust, and conflict initiation might influence romantic relationship satisfaction, none of these mechanisms interacted with social anxiety to explain additional variance in relationship satisfaction. These findings indicate that depression symptomology may be a treatment target for socially anxious individuals wishing to improve romantic relationship satisfaction.

scholarly journals Longitudinal changes in emerging adults’ attachment preferences for their mother, father, friends, and romantic partner

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomo Umemura ◽  
Lenka Lacinová ◽  
Petr Macek ◽  
E. Saskia Kunnen
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Romantic Partner ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Time Points ◽  
The Family ◽  
Latent Difference Score

Only a few studies have longitudinally explored to whom emerging adults prefer to turn to seek closeness, comfort, and security (called “attachment preferences”), and previous studies on attachment preferences in emerging adults have focused only on the beginning of romantic relationships but not on the end of relationships. Czech emerging adults ( M = 21.47; SD = 1.48) completed the questionnaire of attachment preferences at two time points, Wave 1 (Summer 2013) and Wave 2 (Summer 2014). Latent difference score analyses revealed that emerging adults who were not in a romantic relationship in Wave 1 but started a romantic relationship between the two waves ( n = 97) and those who had a romantic partner in both waves ( n = 379) were both more likely to increase their attachment preference for the romantic partner and decrease their preference for friends, whereas those who did not start a relationship ( n = 185) were not. Emerging adults who were in a romantic relationship in Wave 1 but were not in Wave 2 ( n = 69) decreased their preference for the partner and increased their preference for friends. In all the groups, attachment preferences for the mother, for the father, or for the family did not change. Multiple regression analyses further revealed that for those who had a romantic partner in both waves, their length of romantic relationship was associated with changes in attachment preferences for romantic partners and for friends.

Preserving Romantic Relationship through Social Media

2020 ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
Leandro C. Torreon
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Negative State ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
The University ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites (SNS) that recreates face-to-face interactions on the web by allowing people to interact publicly or privately. Many people use Facebook as a way to stay in contact while others use it to develop new connections. The objective of this study was to investigate how Facebook serves as medium in preserving romantic relationships of faculty members, staff and students of the university. The study used a descriptive-survey and correlational research designs to determine if there  is a relationship between the variables. A questionnaire was utilized to determine  respondents’ use of Facebook and status of romantic relationships in terms of partner  surveillance, relationship satisfaction, self-disclosure and social intimacy. The results revealed  that Facebook influence the preservation of romantic relationship as the study found a slight positive relationship between the partner surveillance and relationship satisfaction. The increase in partner surveillance will lead to an increase of relationship satisfaction; hence the absence of it can push a relationship into a negative state. However, other important factors like affectionate communications can lead to relationship satisfaction. Therefore, it was recommended that a strong communication/interaction between couples is needed in maintaining romantic relationship; there is a need of a school program to guide the students, faculty and staff in handling healthy relationship and affectionate communication shall be given value in maintaining romantic relationship.

Assessing Young Adults’ Beliefs Regarding the Importance of Romantic Relationships

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-182
Author(s):  
Nicole K. Watkins ◽  
Jonathon J. Beckmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Relationship Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Valid Assessment ◽  
Relationship Importance

In the current study, we provided initial evidence for the factor structure and validity of the Brief Measure of Relationship Importance, a new measure of young adults’ beliefs about the values and costs of being in romantic relationships. Based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, this measure consisted of two subscales: relationship desire (two items; viewing relationships as important and satisfying parts of one’s life) and relationship dismissal (four items; viewing relationships as less desirable or valuable for one’s life). Relationship desire and dismissal scores were associated with participants’ happiness with their romantic experiences, relationship satisfaction, having experienced relationship cycling, marriage intentions, and general interest in being in a romantic relationship. Therefore, we concluded that the Brief Measure of Relationship Importance provides a reliable and valid assessment of young adults’ romantic relationship attitudes. We discuss how our measure can be used in future research on young adults’ romantic relationship development.

scholarly journals In Good Times and in Bad: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact of Bereavement on Self-Esteem and Life Satisfaction in Couples

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne K. Reitz ◽  
Rebekka Weidmann ◽  
Jenna Wünsche ◽  
Janina Larissa Buehler ◽  
Robert Philip Burriss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Close Family

This study examines the impact of bereavement on self-esteem and life satisfaction in both partners of a romantic couple. We investigate the moderating effects of the type of the lost relationship (close family, close friends/others) and romantic relationship characteristics (daily social support, responsiveness-closeness, self-disclosure). We examined 1,238 individuals in 619 male-female couples from the ages 18 to 81 (M[SD] = 31.97 years [13.26]). Both partners completed questionnaires at two assessments that were 20 months (SD = 2.02 months) apart, in between which n = 216 individuals were bereaved. Actor-partner interdependence models showed that bereavement did not predict later self-esteem or life satisfaction in either of the partners. The relationship characteristics and the type of lost relationship did not moderate the effects. The subjective meaning and distress of the loss predicted later self-esteem and life satisfaction. The self-esteem increase was larger for bereaved with a positive/neutral than for bereaved with a negative meaning. We found a partner effect on self-esteem for the group of bereaved who reported a negative meaning. The findings demonstrate that bereavement can impact romantic partners' self-esteem and that the subjective experience of bereavement helps understand individual differences in the effect of bereavement on self-esteem and life satisfaction.

scholarly journals From #RelationshipGoals to #Heartbreak – We use Instagram differently in various romantic relationship statuses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Fejes-Vékássy ◽  
A. Ujhelyi ◽  
L. Faragó
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Relationship Status ◽  
Relational Factors ◽  
As Relationship ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractNowadays Social Media plays a key role in the formation, maintenance and breaking up of romantic relationships. Instagram, one of the most popular platforms among young adults, was examined by many researchers from the viewpoints of e.g. relationship goals, satisfaction and conflicts. These studies concentrate on the impact of online activities on relationships. With this current research our aim is to widen this perspective: we attempt to investigate how relational factors influence the use of the popular social network site. In Study 1 a qualitative approach was introduced (N = 18), in Study 2 participants (N = 238) reported in an online survey about their Instagram activity in various relationship statuses as well as relationship satisfaction and jealousy. We found that changes in the relationship status can be detected through the modification of Instagram usage. The characteristics of Instagram activity are significantly different at the beginning and at the end of a relationship. Furthermore, using cluster analysis we found that jealousy and relationship satisfaction are core predictors of post frequency, the amount of time spent with browsing and the importance of Instagram. In sum, the patterns of Instagram activity are strongly influenced by romantic relationship status.

Exposure to an Infidelity Threat Manipulation

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-127
Author(s):  
Tamra Cater ◽  
Virgil Zeigler-Hill ◽  
Avi Besser
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Attachment Dimensions ◽  
High Threat

Abstract. The associations between adult attachment dimensions and responses to romantic relationship threats have been investigated in recent years. The present study extended the results of previous studies by examining whether attachment dimensions moderated the anticipated responses that individuals had to the imagined infidelity of their romantic partners. College student participants (N = 243) were randomly assigned to imagine either a high threat scenario (i.e., finding their partner having sex with someone else) or a low threat scenario (i.e., hearing a couple on television having sex) and report their anticipated responses to these scenarios. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that the attachment dimensions moderated the anticipated responses of participants to the imagined infidelity of their romantic partners but the exact patterns of these results were different than we expected. For example, individuals with low levels of attachment avoidance provided more positive evaluations of their romantic relationships than individuals with high levels of attachment avoidance in the low threat condition but this difference did not emerge in the high threat condition. These findings suggest that low levels of attachment avoidance may be most beneficial for romantic relationships when there is relatively little threat to the relationship. Further, men with high levels of attachment anxiety reported relatively positive evaluations of their relationships in the high threat condition compared to men with low levels of attachment anxiety or women (regardless of their level of attachment anxiety). Discussion focuses on the implications these results may have for understanding the connections between attachment and relationship evaluations under conditions of threat.

scholarly journals Social Withdrawal and Romantic Relationships: A Longitudinal Study in Early Adulthood

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania A. Barzeva ◽  
Jennifer S. Richards ◽  
Wim H. J. Meeus ◽  
Albertine J. Oldehinkel
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Relationship Development ◽  
Developmental Task ◽  
Relationship Qualities

AbstractInvolvement in romantic relationships is a salient developmental task in late adolescence and early adulthood, and deviations from normative romantic development are linked to adverse outcomes. This study investigated to what extent social withdrawal contributed to deviations from normative romantic development, and vice versa, and the interplay between withdrawal and couples’ relationship perceptions. The sample included 1710 young adults (55–61% female) from the Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey cohort and their romantic partners. Data were collected across 4 waves, covering romantic relationships from ages 17 to 29 years. The results showed that higher withdrawal predicted a higher likelihood of romantic non-involvement by adulthood, consistently being single at subsequent waves, and entering one’s first relationship when older. Withdrawal moderately decreased when youth entered their first relationship. Male’s withdrawal in particular affected romantic relationship qualities and dynamics. These results provide new insights into the developmental sequelae of withdrawn young adults’ romantic relationship development.

Using Instagram While “In a Relationship”

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunji Lee ◽  
Tae Rang Choi ◽  
Taejun (David) Lee ◽  
Yongjun Sung
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Romantic Partners ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Relational Outcomes

Abstract. Despite the continued attention on the distinct behavioral and relational outcomes of narcissism and self-esteem, limited academic research has been devoted to investigating the influences of those individual differences upon behaviors of seeking and retaining a romantic relationship concurrently in the digital environment. The present study aimed to test the role that narcissism and self-esteem play in predicting individuals’ attitudes toward behaviors in current and possible romantic relationships. The results demonstrated that individuals high in narcissism showed positive attitudes toward interacting with potential romantic partners on Instagram. Furthermore, they showed positive attitudes toward current relationship-related postings on Instagram. In contrast, individuals high in self-esteem exhibited negative attitudes toward interacting with potential romantic partners, whereas they showed positive attitudes toward posting photographs taken with their current romantic partners on Instagram. This study provides empirical evidence for the associations between individual differences and attitudes toward various behaviors on social networking sites (SNSs) in relation to both potential and current romantic relationships.

Initiating, Maintaining, or Breaking Up?

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Menegatti ◽  
Monica Rubini
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Level Of Abstraction ◽  
Problematic Relationship ◽  
Abstract Language ◽  
Language Abstraction

Two studies examined whether individuals vary the level of abstraction of messages composed to achieve the relational goals of initiating, maintaining, and ending a romantic relationships when the goal of communication was self-disclosure or persuading one’s partner. Study 1 showed that abstract language was preferred to disclose thoughts and feelings about initiating a romantic relationship or to persuade the partner to consolidate a long-term one. Study 2 revealed that participants used abstract terms to persuade the partner to continue a problematic relationship and to disclose their thoughts on ending it. These results show that language abstraction is a flexible means to handle individuals’ goals and influence the course of romantic relationships.

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