The Couple Who Facebooks Together, Stays Together: Effects of Facebook Self-Presentation on Relationship Commitment and Longevity Among College-Aged Dating Couples

• In Event: Dating Processes Using Social Media

Abstract

Drawing on public commitment theory, this research examined the effects of Facebook self-presentations of coupledom on college-aged dating partners’ relational commitment and relational longevity. Using a longitudinal design (N = 180 participants) and a path model analytic approach, we show that Facebook self-presentational elements (i.e., being listed as “in a relationship,” posting dyadic photographs, writing on the partner’s wall) led to an increase in relational commitment among dating couples which, in turn, increased their likelihood of remaining together after six months. Contrary to predictions, the number of mutual Friends and the number of posts written by the partner on participants’ wall was negatively related to relational commitment. This study is the first to apply public commitment theory to an online romantic relationship context, and one of the few to examine the effects of Facebook on the state and fate of romantic relationships.

Authors

• Catalina Laura Toma, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Mina Choi, U of Wisconsin-Madison