Relationship functioning before and during the digital age

Most research on relationship functioning has shown that people's satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and investment size predict relationship commitment. However, few studies have examined the antecedents to relationship commitment and its predictors, and whether the passage of time and societal changes in technology use may be associated with people’s relationship functioning. The association between time, technology use, and relationship functioning were examined in two studies. The first was a meta-analysis that included 205 independent samples (NTotal = 48,253) collected from diverse populations, ranging from early stage long-term romantic relationships to well established couples who have been married for decades. The second was an online survey administered to 270 Amazon MTurk users and an undergrad sample of 245 psychology credit subject pool participants. This survey was designed to examine the association between technology use and relationship functioning. The data that were collected in the survey included the investment model data, technology use, attachment, Big Five personality traits, loneliness, perceived partner responsiveness and disclosure, and demographic information. Results showed that relationship functioning has not changed from the 1990s to present day (Study 1) and did not vary as a function of technology use (Study 2). In addition, most of the variation in relationship functioning was due to individual differences such as attachment insecurities, differences in participants' perception of how rewarding interactions were, perceived partner responsiveness, and disclosure. The limitations of this work and the implications for the future research of relationship functioning are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2016

Author dc:creator

• Segal, Noam

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fraley, R. Chris
• Cohen, Dov
• Roberts, Brent W.
• Newman, Daniel A.
• Ogolsky, Brian G.

• Investment model
• Relationship functioning
• Commitment
• Social networks

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Noam Segal

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92832

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/92832