Long-distance Texting: Text Messaging Predicts Relationship Satisfaction in Long-distance Relationships

Abstract

Thanks to the widespread use of smartphones, romantic couples can connect with their partners from virtually anywhere, at any time. Remote communication may be particularly important to long-distance relationships (LDRs), compared to geographically close relationships (GCRs). The goals of the current research were to examine differences between LDRs and GCRs in (1) the patterns of remote communication (video calls, voice calls, and texting), and (2) how frequency and responsiveness of remote communication are related to relationship satisfaction. Data were drawn from an online survey of emerging adults (n = 647) who were in a relationship or dating someone (36.5% were in an LDR). Participants in LDRs engaged in more frequent video calling, voice calling, and texting, compared to those in GCRs. LDR participants also perceived their partners to be more responsive during video and voice calls, compared to GCR participants. More frequent and responsive texting predicted significantly greater relationship satisfaction among participants in LDRs, but not GCRs. Meanwhile, frequency of voice calls was associated with greater relationship satisfaction in GCRs, but not in LDRs. The use of video calls was not related to relationship satisfaction in either group. Overall, study findings add to a sparse literature on remote communication in romantic couples and suggest a uniquely positive role of texting within LDRs. Further research is needed to examine the ways in which LDR and GCR couples can best capitalize on different forms of remote technology to maintain their relationships during periods of separation.

Introduction to the special issue on communication technologies and relationships

“…We are cautious, however, in accepting an answer to the detrimental or beneficial question based on a simple box score. On the beneficial side, for example, results reported in this collection showed that frequent mediated communication is associated with greater relationship satisfaction (Holtzman et al, 2021) and less loneliness (Macdonald et al, 2021). Some of the articles are framed in terms of factors that undermine relationships (e.g., rejection sensitivity; Bayer et al, 2021) but could be framed in terms of how the opposite end of such dimensions (e.g., inclusion) possibly have salutary effects.…”

“…Some of the theoretical views referenced are prominent perspectives such as: attachment theory (David & Roberts, 2021; Entwistle et al, 2021), social learning theory (Poulin & Boon), the relational turbulence model (Brinberg et al, 2021), media multiplexity theory (Macdonald et al, 2021; Russell et al, 2021), and socio-emotional selectivity theory (Macdonald et al, 2021). Other authors use less prominent or more narrowly focused theories such as electronic propinquity theory (Holtzman et al, 2021). The frequent use of conceptual perspectives is, in our opinion, indicative that research on technology and relationships is no longer in its infancy but is a maturing area of scholarship.…”

“…A second noteworthy aspect of the articles in this special issue is the variety of methodologies authors employed and the exciting cutting-edge approaches of some studies. In terms of variety there are: experiments (David & Roberts, 2021; Ruppel et al, 2021), qualitative studies (Quan-Haase et al, 2021), a large scale representative survey (Booth et al, 2021), other surveys or questionnaire studies (Russell et al, 2021; Scott et al, 2021), event sampling diary studies (Bayer et al, 2021; Macdonald et al, 2021), analyses of messages (Brinberg et al, 2021; Entwistle et al, 2021; Sharabi & Hopkins, 2021), mixed quantitative and qualitative methods (Fox et al, 2021; Paulin & Boon, 2021), and longitudinal studies (Alexopoulos, 2021; Holtzman et al, 2021; Lu et al, 2021). The diversity of methods may reflect that research on technology and relationships is an area where IARR’s value of multidisciplinarity is thriving.…”

Beyond the Vows of Distance: The Relationship-Formation of Newly-Wed Couples, a Phenomenology

“…The previous decade defined the significance of social networking sites in its expansive and worldwide evolution. According to a study by Holtzman et al (2020), the widespread adaptation of smartphones enables couples to contact their spouses from virtually anywhere, which is especially crucial in long-distance relationships compared to geographically close relationships. Herewith, couples can exchange various aspects of their daily lives in real time, from the most mundane to the most salient.…”