Student Independent Projects Social Cultural Studies 2015: The Role of Communication Technologies in Long Distance Romantic Relationships: Defining Intimacy and Emotional Satisfaction

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine how technology has changed long-distance romantic relationships. Specifically it examines how technology changes romantic relationships when geographically close (face-to-face) relationships become long-distance relationships. My study examines their experiences with technology and self-reported feelings of emotional satisfaction from three perspectives; one, the strategies undergraduate students use to maintain romantic relationships through periodic phases of geographic separation (the academic school year September-May); two, the effectiveness of various technologically mediated forms of communication (texting, Skype, Facebook, etc) as strategies for maintaining romantic relationships (e.g. emotional support); and three, the rules and norms of technologically mediated communication.