Page 99 - Never Too Far Away? The Roles of Social Network Sites in Sojourners’ Adjustment

are separated by distance. Because the two types of relationships did not differ substantially in relationship quality, it is likely that the distance-related lack of physical means to perform and experience relationship maintenance processes contributed to individuals in LDRR relying more on SNS than individuals in GCRR.
Limitations and future directions
The findings of the current study must be considered in the light of several limitations. First, results based on this convenience sample may not be generalized beyond college-aged, young adults. Moreover, the current study did not consider length, stages, types of romantic relationship (e.g., dating vs. married), distance, or types of LDRR (e.g., domestic vs. international). Further, selected items were used from existing scales and the maintenance relational behaviors scale was scored based on strategic and routine categories to meet the purpose of the study. Although each scale in the current study showed satisfactory reliability, the comparability to other studies that use the same measure is limited.
For future studies, a systematic investigation of the impact of relationship quality components (e.g., relationship satisfaction, trust) on SNS use in LDRR is recommended. Moreover, further investigation using experimental and longitudinal designs to examine the underlying processes of the links found in the current study is recommended. Using a dyadic level of analysis, looking at the interplay between partners, is suggested. Additionally, a more nuanced investigation on the use of SNS such as the use of specific communication features, ease of access, and forms of access (e.g., computer, phone or tablets) is recommended. Lastly, future studies should differentiate domestic and international LDRR, and take cultural factors into account.
Conclusions
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on the effects of SNS use in romantic relationships that has examined private and public contexts of relationship maintenance processes, and that has compared the use of SNS in LDRR and GCRR. Individuals in LDRR were more likely than individuals in GCRR to use SNS for relationship maintenance by using SNS to express their involvement and to gauge their partner’s involvement. The results of this study suggest that SNS is a viable medium for relationship maintenance. Aside from regular interpersonal communications between couples, it provides social and
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