Spying on the Ones We Love: Antecedents and Outcomes of Postbreakup Surveillance on Facebook

• In Event: End-Stage Interpersonal Relationships on Facebook

Abstract

Social networking sites (SNS) are sometimes used for social surveillance, particularly in the context of romantic relationships. While several personal variables have been identified as causes of electronic surveillance, less is known about its relational antecedent. The present study investigates the predictors and outcomes of surveillance on SNS in the context of the dissolution of a romantic relationship. Participants (N = 171) who recently experienced the end of a romantic relationship responded to a survey about their past relationship and their surveillance behaviors toward their previous partner on Facebook. Results supported hypotheses that desire to resume the romantic relationship, and non-initiators of the breakup, predicted surveillance behaviors. Further, the relationship between breakup initiation role and surveillance was explained by negative emotions during the dissolution process. Controlling for elapsed time since the breakup, surveillance after the breakup predicted current levels of rumination. Implications of this work are discussed for relationships and surveillance on SNS.

Authors

• Nicholas Aaron Ross Merola, Northwestern University

• Nicholas Brody, University of Puget Sound

• Leah LeFebvre, U of Wyoming

• Kate Blackburn