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Dominican University of California

Illuminating the Increase of Intentional Dating in the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Connection to Relationship Satisfaction through the Lens of Photography.

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>In this study, the researcher examined if the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted individuals to reprioritize their emotional needs in intimate relationships. As a result of reprioritizing intimate relationship needs, the researcher also examined whether intentional dating increased within an individual. Furthermore, the researcher explored the use of photography to illuminate an individual's relationship satisfaction and motivation for dating. Asking these questions can help to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted intimate dating relationships and how dating trends may have shifted. It further explores how photography can also be used as a research tool as well as a therapeutic tool in the field of Art Therapy. To better understand and explore the research questions, this qualitative study consisted of four parts. Participants completed a general demographic survey, the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI-16), a retrospective survey, and a prompted photography activity. A qualitative analysis of the results of this study revealed COVID-19 positively influenced participants' dating intentions. Furthermore, a positive relationship between dating intentionality and relationship satisfaction was also observed. Lastly, the results of this study demonstrate that individuals can express their relationship satisfaction or intentions through photography when given the necessary reflective tools, such as prompts and follow-up questions.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Level thesis:degree_level
Master's Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Art Therapy
Year dc:date.available
2022

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Carnegie, Caitlin
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Erin Partridge, PhD, ATR-BC
  • Sarah Kremer, PhD, ATR-BC

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholar.dominican.edu:art-therapy-masters-theses-1007

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Dominican University of California
Base URL
scholar.dominican.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Carnegie, Caitlin. Illuminating the Increase of Intentional Dating in the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Connection to Relationship Satisfaction through the Lens of Photography.. Master's Thesis thesis, 2022. https://scholar.dominican.edu/art-therapy-masters-theses/8