Technology Usage and Relationship Satisfaction
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Relationships, Satisfaction, Technology
Abstract
Technology has increasingly become a part of daily life, so it is important to identify how its use impacts relationships. Previous studies have found correlations between various types of technology use and relationship satisfaction. For instance, frequent cell phone use is associated with low relationship satisfaction (Coyne et al., 2011). Another study found that making the relationship official on a Facebook profile is associated with high relationship satisfaction whereas talking about relationship disagreements on Facebook is associated with low relationship satisfaction (Papp et al., 2012). The current study adds to the existing literature by further examining the association between technology and relationship satisfaction, but by specifically examining technology use while with one’s romantic partner and perceptions of partners’ technology use. The study involved collection of anonymous surveys from 124 participants between the ages of 18 and 45. Survey links were posted on social media sites. All participants were in romantic relationships during the study and responded to 21 questions about technology usage and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated no association between personal technology use and relationship satisfaction; however, there was a negative association between perceived partner technology use and relationship satisfaction, and between technology satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. Specifically, when participants perceived that their partner used technology often, they reported lower relationship satisfaction. Participants who reported satisfaction with their technology use tended to report high relationship satisfaction. The results suggest that perceptions and evaluations of technology use may be more important than actual use in predicting relationship satisfaction.
Recommended Citation
Rogers, Michaela and Jaenicke, Kirsten, "Technology Usage and Relationship Satisfaction" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 132.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/posters/132
Poster Number
40
Department/Program
Family and Consumer Sciences
Additional Mentoring Department
Family and Consumer Sciences
Technology Usage and Relationship Satisfaction
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Technology has increasingly become a part of daily life, so it is important to identify how its use impacts relationships. Previous studies have found correlations between various types of technology use and relationship satisfaction. For instance, frequent cell phone use is associated with low relationship satisfaction (Coyne et al., 2011). Another study found that making the relationship official on a Facebook profile is associated with high relationship satisfaction whereas talking about relationship disagreements on Facebook is associated with low relationship satisfaction (Papp et al., 2012). The current study adds to the existing literature by further examining the association between technology and relationship satisfaction, but by specifically examining technology use while with one’s romantic partner and perceptions of partners’ technology use. The study involved collection of anonymous surveys from 124 participants between the ages of 18 and 45. Survey links were posted on social media sites. All participants were in romantic relationships during the study and responded to 21 questions about technology usage and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated no association between personal technology use and relationship satisfaction; however, there was a negative association between perceived partner technology use and relationship satisfaction, and between technology satisfaction and relationship satisfaction. Specifically, when participants perceived that their partner used technology often, they reported lower relationship satisfaction. Participants who reported satisfaction with their technology use tended to report high relationship satisfaction. The results suggest that perceptions and evaluations of technology use may be more important than actual use in predicting relationship satisfaction.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Amy Claridge