Implications of Media Use in Long-Distance and Geographically Close Relationships

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Interactive Paper Session: Communication and Technology Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

How do partners in long-distance and geographically close romantic relationships differ in media use? In this study we distributed an online survey to 70 participants in search of differences between relationship type (long-distance vs. geographically close) across the frequency of media use, perceived intimacy and media utility, and affect. Our results suggest that individuals in long-distance relationships send more text-messages, videos through photo messaging, and spend more time video chatting and on the phone with their significant others than those in geographically close relationships. Those in long-distance relationships also viewed texting, emailing, and video chatting as more useful in maintaining and building their romantic relationship than did geographically close counterparts. A disclosure task and subsequent language analysis found that individuals in long-distance relationships tend to use more negative affect, sad words, anger terms, and third-person pronouns, but fewer “we” words when asked to describe their feelings about their relationship based on communication activities. Implications for these correlational data are discussed.

Authors

• David Matthew Markowitz, Cornell University

• Katherine Bubric, Cornell U

• Sarah Sinclair, Cornell U

• Nicholas Vera, Cornell U

• Helen Tian, Cornell U

• Jillian Saulnier, Cornell U