Page 104 - Never Too Far Away? The Roles of Social Network Sites in Sojourners’ Adjustment

Abstract
The impetus for this study is the proposition that social network sites (SNSs) can be beneficial for romantic relationships via network support functions. We investigated a model which proposes that the use of SNSs predicts relationship support from SNS connections, and this, in turn, predicts relationship stability and satisfaction in romantic relationships. We tested this mediation model on data we gathered via an online survey among individuals who use Facebook (an SNS), who are in long-distance (LDRR, n = 142) and geographically-close romantic relationships (GCRR, n = 314). GCRR participants reported higher levels of Facebook use and relationship support, as well as perceived relationship stability and satisfaction than participants in LDRR. Moreover, the results indicated that Facebook use predicted higher access to Facebook relationship support in LDRR and GCRR which, in turn, predicted perceived relationship stability and satisfaction in LDRR; and only perceived relationship satisfaction in GCRR. However, Facebook use had direct negative impacts on relationship satisfaction in GCRR, and on perceived relationship stability in LDRR. Facebook use and Facebook relationship support were not associated with relationship stability in GCRR. This demonstrates the relative importance of SNSs on relationship stability for those in LDRR.
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