Facebook Use Can Adversely Affect Romantic Relationships, Recent Studies Show

By Sierra Shumate

 For many, social networking sites are used daily, aiding in communication with both our friends and our romantic partners.  However, a new study finds that Facebook use could actually damage users’ romantic relationships.
University of Missouri's recent findings have shown that the higher levels of Facebook involvement correlate positively with higher levels of relationship stress and conflict.
These conflicts can then cause or may lead to emotional or physical cheating, in some cases.
In the study performed, Russel Clayton and colleagues researched and surveyed a population of Facebook users ages 18-82 years of age, in which participants were asked questions regarding the frequency of their Facebook use as well as any conflicts that may resulted as part of their Facebook use.
The study found that high levels of Facebook use positively correlated with conflict in couples, which then corresponded with future negative affect in relationships as well as possible negative outcomes such as breakups, separations, or cheating.
“Previous research has shown that the more a person in a romantic relationship uses Facebook, the more likely they are to monitor their partner’s Facebook activity more stringently, which can lead to feelings of jealousy,” Clayton said. This type of 'facebook-induced jealousy' as it has been called, can sometimes lead to arguments regarding past partners or relationships.
 Facebook-induced jealousy may lead to arguments concerning past partners, as partners may reconnect with past relationships, rekindling flames that may have otherwise been left alone. These types of interactions may lead to the types of negative outcomes that were previously mentioned, such as emotional cheating.
These types of trends were particularly obvious in new relationships, where the trust may not be as solid as in a longer relationship, more fully matured relationship, which usually occurs around three years. Therefore, this research seems to show that increased Facebook use may only affect or threaten new relationships of less than three years in length. Clayton recommends that in order to prevent the "Facebook threat," that new couples may want to limit their own Facebook use for the betterment of the relationship. Although Facebook is a great tool to learn about other people in great detail, this may be best done in person, particularly in romantic relationships, Clayton suggests.

Source: Psychology Today