Browsing by Subject "Long-distance relationships"

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    A Prototype Analysis of Missing in a Geographically Separated Relationship: Validation, Correlates, and Implications
    (2005) Feinberg, Emily; Le, Benjamin
    The current research used a prototype analysis to study the experience of missing a partner in a geographically separated relationship. In Study 1, the prototype of missing was validated using cognitive tasks and relationship vignettes. As hypothesized, results showed more recall for central features and more false recognition for central features. Relationships including central features were also rated as experiencing more “missing” than relationship including non-central features. In Study 2, the experience of missing was looked at in a long distance relationship sample. Using an online survey, a missing scale created using its prototype, was measured in addition to commitment, loneliness, and other various relationship and personality dimensions. As hypothesized, results found a moderate correlation between missing and commitment and a small, but significant correlation between missing and loneliness. These findings validated the prototypical structure of missing and also found it to be separate from the experience of loneliness. The function of missing as a pro-relationship motivation was also discussed. Future research on the experience of missing in relation to individual and relationship differences is suggested, in addition to a focus on the nature of the separation and relationship involved.
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    A Prototype Analysis of Missing in Geographically Separated Romantic Relationships: Validation and Correlates of the Experience of Missing
    (2005) Johnson, Katherine; Le, Benjamin
    There is a growing literature examining the functioning of geographically separated couples and missing is a common experience in long distance relationships. The purpose of Study 1 was to validate the prototype of missing established by Le et al. (2004) through the use of two cognitive memory tasks and a hypothetical relationship task using vignettes. As hypothesized, the sample (N = 92) falsely recalled and falsely recognized central terms of missing more than non-central terms. Vignettes describing relationships with central terms were rated as missing more than relationships described with non-central terms. The purpose of Study 2 was to investigate the experience of missing through the use of an internet study in couples currently separated from their romantic partner (N = 435). The measure of missing demonstrated discriminate validity from the UCLA Loneliness Scale-supporting the hypothesis that missing overlaps but is yet distinct from loneliness. Individuals who missed their partners more were more committed, more securely or anxiously attached and more dependent than those individuals who missed their partners less. Missing serves as a relationship maintenance mechanism to promote behaviors that preserve the relationship in the face of geographic separation.
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    Associations Between Social Networks and Long-Distance Relationships
    (2006) Kozakewich, Elena
    The purpose of this research was to integrate long-distance relationship (LDR) research with the study of social networks and social influence. We examined how college students in LDRs' reported commitment may be influenced by the behaviors and beliefs of their closest male and female friend. We sought to expand on Etcheverry and Agnew's (2004) research concerning network influence on romantic relationship commitment, as a function of normative beliefs moderated by motivation to comply with network members' beliefs. However, we used network behaviors in place of normative beliefs and examined additional factors that could moderate associations between social network behavior and LDR commitment. In Study 1, 109 college students in a psychology class provided a total of 387 supportive behaviors and 326 unsupportive behaviors that they thought they might engage in if they had a friend in an LDR. In study 2, 439 participants currently involved in LDRs took an online survey about their LDR, their closest male and female friend, and how they thought their friends' opinions related to their LDR. Participants also reported how frequently their male and female friend exhibited some of the most commonly reported behaviors from Study 1. Supportive network behavior was significantly correlated with participants' reported commitment scores (unsupportive behavior was negatively correlated with commitment). Motivation to comply moderated the relationship between network behavior and participants' LDR commitment, as predicted by previous research. Other sources of moderation were also assessed, including sex of friend and closeness of friend (mixed results), and specific relationship knowledge of friend and general relationship knowledge of friend (results as predicted; moderation increased the behavior-commitment association).
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    Missing a Loved One and The Role of Need Fulfillment
    (2010) Eyerer, Anna; Le, Benjamin
    The current study explored the role of need fulfillment in the experience of missing a romantic partner. The sample consisted of 163 participants from ages 17 to 24 in long-distance romantic relationships and currently geographically separated from their partners. Participants took an online survey where they rated their need fulfillment, expectations of need fulfillment, need importance, and social network need fulfillment of 22 needs. The survey also measured participants’ amount of missing, relationship commitment, and attachment dimensions. The results found a positive relationship between need fulfillment and missing and a moderating effect of anxious and avoidant attachment dimensions on this relationship. Additionally, commitment correlated positively with missing which replicates past research. Based on the current findings and considering Interdependence Theory, it was concluded that need fulfillment serves as a predictor of missing because need fulfillment produces dependence on a romantic partner and subsequent commitment.
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    Need Fulfillment and Missing a Partner in Long Distance Romantic Relationships
    (2010) Porter, Jaclyn; Le, Benjamin; Sternberg, Wendy
    In this study, the phenomenon of missing a romantic partner in a long-distance relationship (LDR) was investigated. One hundred sixty-three members of LDRs between the ages of 18-24 completed an online survey advertised on a social networking site and the Haverford College message boards. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between need fulfillment (NF) and missing a romantic partner as well as moderating variables such as expectations for a romantic partner to fulfill each need, the importance of each need, the fulfillment of each need by a social network member, participant sex, and attachment dimensions. A significant positive correlation was found between NF and missing a partner and significant interactions were found between NF and attachment avoidance, and NF and attachment anxiety in predicting missing a partner. It is suspected that commitment plays an important role in the association between NF and missing. Strengths, limitations, and areas for future research are discussed.
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    Need Fulfillment and Missing in Long Distance Relationships
    (2010) Mezoff, Charlotte; Le, Benjamin
    In the context of long distance relationships, we examined the association between individuals' need fulfillment and the extent to which they missed their partner. We predicted that need fulfillment would be negatively associated with missing, such that the less an individual's relationship needs are being met, the more he or she will miss his or her partner. In a correlational analysis, need fulfillment positively predicted missing a partner, contrary to our main hypothesis. Moderated multiple regression analyses revealed no significant interactions between need fulfillment and need expectations, need importance, biological sex, or need fulfillment by social networks.
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    The Association between Social Network Influence Behaviors and Commitment in Long-Distance Romantic Relationships
    (2006) Buniva, Emily J.; Le, Benjamin
    A two-study investigation of the association between the specific behaviors of social network members and long-distance romantic relationship (LDRR) commitment was conducted in accordance with the theory of reasoned action and the investment model. Study 1 was a qualitative study that asked 109 undergraduate students to describe how they would demonstrate support or disapproval for a friend's LDRR. These responses were then coded into a list of supportive and unsupportive social network behaviors. Study 2 investigated the association between these specific behaviors and LDRR commitment and the characteristics of the social network member, the LDRR, and the LDRR participant that influence this association. Four hundred and thirty-nine people in undergraduate LDRRs participated in this online survey. The results of this study revealed that the supportive behaviors were negatively correlated with the LDRR participant's commitment. Furthermore, the sex of the LDRR participant, the combination of the sex of the friend and the sex of the LDRR participant, the general romantic relationship knowledge of the friend, and the specific romantic relationship knowledge of the friend all significantly influenced the association between the social network members' behaviors and a LDRR participant's commitment. The characteristics of the degree of closeness to the friend and the sex of the friend were also found to have some influence in this relationship but not to the same degree.
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    The Missing Piece: Need Fulfillment and Missing in Long Distance Relationships
    (2010) MacPhee, William V.
    This research examines the ways in which need fulfillment and missing interacts in long distance relationships. Missing is a recently developed construct that relates to an array of behavior such as reminiscing one engages in when apart from a partner, and has yet to be explored in this context. Given the nature of being geographically separated from a partner, certain needs that are central to a relationship go unfulfilled, which should result in greater missing. It was also expected that factors such as need importance, fulfillment, participant sex, social networks, and attachment would serve as moderators that will either enhance of decrease the original interaction. In order to test such predictions, a survey was developed and given to subjects specifically in long distance relationships. The data was then analyzed through correlations and regressions. The results found a positive relationship between need fulfillment and missing, which was the opposite of what was predicted. Additionally, it was found that none of the moderators except attachment were significant, but this again was the opposite of the original prediction. What this shows is that need fulfillment can be seen as substitute for missing and greater attachment avoidance leads to greater more missing when needs are met.