Need Fulfillment and Missing in Long Distance Relationships

Abstract

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.