Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 172-194).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009. / Prepared for: School of Social Work . Bibliography: leaves 154 -175. Also available online via the Internet.

Thesis (B.A.)--Haverford College, Dept. of Psychology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Using both qualitative and quantitative methodology, this thesis investigates the tactics used by long-distance relational partners, the differences in use of the tactics between long-distance and proximal partners, the relationship among the maintenance tactics, and the relationship of the tactics to relational satisfaction. Seven relational maintenance strategies were identified from the investigation: affirmation, expression, high tech mediated communication, low tech mediated communication, future thought, negative disclosure, and together-time. Significant differences in the use of maintenance tactics between long-distance and proximal partners were discovered and several tactics were found to correlate with relational satisfaction for both relationship types. It is concluded that relational maintenance should be viewed from a multi-dimensional perspective that recognizes the impact relational dialectics have on relationships.

La presente investigación describe la experiencia subjetiva de jóvenes de 20 a 25 años que mantienen relaciones románticas a larga distancia. Se recurrió a un diseño fenomenológico hermenéutico mediante el estudio de caso múltiple haciendo uso de los sistemas conversacionales de González Rey (2007). Participaron tres jóvenes con quienes se tuvo dos conversaciones con cada uno. Se encontró que la experiencia relacional previa influye en la experiencia subjetiva de la relación romántica actual a través de la imagen subjetiva que forman los participantes de sí mismos y de la pareja. Los objetivos educacionales y profesionales son relevantes en la manera en que los participantes configuran sus relaciones románticas y en la determinación de las aspiraciones e intenciones con la pareja. El cuerpo, en sus dimensiones física y mental, juega un papel importante en el intercambio virtual y el desarrollo de la intimidad de los participantes con sus parejas. La incertidumbre es un factor central en la vivencia de desencuentros entre los participantes y sus parejas. Los resultados de la investigación permiten plantearse que la interacción virtual da lugar a nuevos esquemas para pensar al otro y a uno mismo. Las relaciones inter e intrapersonales parecen verse afectadas por el avance de las tecnologías de la comunicación. / The present research describes the subjective experience of people between the ages of 20 and 25 who maintain long-distance romantic relationships. A hermeneutical phenomenological design was applied through a multiple case study employing González Rey’s (2007) conversational systems Three young people participated in the study. The researcher had two conversations with each one. It was found that the previous relational experience influences the subjective experience of the current romantic relationship through the subjective image that the participants form of themselves and of their couple. Educational and professional goals are relevant in the way participants shape their romantic relationships and in determining their aspirations and intentions with the partner. The body, in its physical and mental dimensions, plays an important role in the virtual exchange and the development of the intimacy of the participants with their partners. Uncertainty is a central factor in the experience of disagreements between the participants and their partners. The results of the research allow us to think that virtual interaction gives rise to new schemes to think about the other and oneself. Interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships seem to be affected by the advancement of communication technologies. / Tesis

This study looks into the intricacies of long-distance romantic relationships and the ways in which intimacy is created and nurtured with the help of technology and digital media platforms. It uses a methodological triangulation, combining quantitative content analysis with qualitative interviews, as tools to investigate the doings of couples who find themselves geographically challenged. The results point out to the fact that people adapt to these  circumstances and use technology as a third player of the relationship, creating and maintaining intimacy mainly through conversations and stepping away from the physical side of a romantic relationship.

Based on uses and gratification theory, media richness theory, and social presence theory, the present study explores the role of different communication channels and social support in relationship maintenance among long distance dating partners. Specifically, how social support is related to relational uncertainty, how the use of different communication channels is related to social support variables, and what are main factors of relationship satisfaction are examined in this study. A total of 311 respondents participated in the study. All of four social support variables,emotional support, socializing, advice/guidance and support appraisals were found to be negatively related to relational uncertainty. In addition, both phone call and webcam use were positively related to all support behaviors and support appraisals, while email use was positively related to advice/guidance and support appraisals. Finally, the regression results suggested that emotional support, socializing, support appraisals, phone call, and webcam use were positive predictors of relationship satisfaction, whereas text messaging negatively predicted relationship satisfaction.

Previous research indicates a high rate of long distance relationships, especially among young adults. Yet, research in this area is lacking, particularly regarding the role of video chatting. Through the lens of the media richness theory and the hyperpersonal model, this qualitative study explores how video chatting impacts idealization and disillusionment in young adults’ long distance dating relationships. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with both partners of six heterosexual couples. Data was analyzed using the constant comparative approach and following the basic framework of open, axial, and selective coding used in grounded theory research. Results indicate that video chatting helps partners feel close to one another, though partners must still manage the differences between feeling close and actually being close. Couples use idealization and uncertainty management to reduce disillusionment, and couples who anticipate changes manage those changes more successfully. These findings suggest that video chatting mimics in-person communication more accurately than any other technology, though it cannot replace true geographic proximity. Nonetheless, video chatting appears to help minimize disillusionment by promoting healthy idealization for couples who use it throughout their long distance dating relationship.

The text of the thesis deals with controlling, monitoring, tracking and analyzing an individual's online activities by another person and the influence of this Internet behavior on its reflection in reality. The theoretical part deals with relevant issues from the field of ethics, psychology, theory of computer communication and theory of privacy and technological supervision. The practical part is focused on qualitative analysis of behavior of individuals living in long distance relationships and their strategies for using new media as a means to control the activity of their faraway partner.

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