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Beckmeyer JJ, Herbenick D, Eastman-Mueller H. Long-distance romantic relationships among college students: Prevalence, correlates, and dynamics in a campus probability survey. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023; 71:2314-2318. [PMID: 34591746 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1978464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of long-distance relationships (LDRs) among college students and explore how relationship dynamics differed between LDRs and geographically close relationships (GCRs). PARTICIPANTS Data were from romantically involved students (N = 2075) who participated in the 2020 College Sexual Health Survey. METHODS Students completed an online survey in which they reported their current romantic relationship status, if they were in a long-distance relationship, and relationship dynamics (happiness, commitment, and conflict). RESULTS Overall, 34.2% of romantically involved students were in LDRs, which were more common for first-year students, students in longer duration relationships, dating relationships, and Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students. LDRs were less common for older students. Based on χ2 tests, relationship happiness, commitment, and conflict did not differ based on LDR status. CONCLUSIONS As LDRs are common, providing students with resources focused on navigating LDRs may help them manage their romantic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon J Beckmeyer
- Department of Counseling and Learning Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Debby Herbenick
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Heather Eastman-Mueller
- Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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Preetz R. Dissolution of Non-cohabiting Relationships and Changes in Life Satisfaction and Mental Health. Front Psychol 2022; 13:812831. [PMID: 35310224 PMCID: PMC8931474 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.812831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates how individuals’ life satisfaction and depression are affected by the dissolution of a steady non-cohabiting intimate relationship. Previous studies have focused more on the consequences of divorce and less on the influence of non-cohabiting relationships on the well-being of the individual. The data for this study were taken from pairfam, a large-scale German panel survey, and were used to estimate fixed-effects panel regression models and impact functions to identify the overall effect of dissolution and trajectories after separation. The study sample comprised 2,631 individuals who were observed over the course of 11,219 partnership years. Based on the results of this study, three main findings were reported. First, the dissolution of a non-cohabiting relationship led to a significant decline in mental health and life satisfaction. Second, the trajectories after dissolution suggest that the decline was only temporary, showing readjustment after 1 year. Third, gender differences were identified, suggesting worse consequences for men who experienced a significant decline in both dimensions and did not readjust in life satisfaction until several years after the dissolution. For women, decreases were only found for life satisfaction, but quick readjustments were observed.
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Herbenick D, Hensel DJ, Eastman-Mueller H, Beckmeyer J, Fu TC, Guerra-Reyes L, Rosenberg M. Sex and Relationships Pre- and Early- COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Probability Sample of U.S. Undergraduate Students. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:183-195. [PMID: 34981257 PMCID: PMC8722645 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02265-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, most U.S. colleges closed their campuses-including residence halls-causing significant disruption to students' lives. Two waves of data were collected from undergraduate students enrolled at a large U.S. Midwestern university: Wave 1 was a confidential online survey of 4989 randomly sampled undergraduate students collected in January/February 2020; Wave 2 was collected in April/May 2020 following campus closure. Our research aimed to: (1) assess how the COVID-19 related campus closure affected college students' romantic/sexual relationships, (2) examine students' past month sexual behaviors prior to the pandemic in comparison with their sexual behaviors during campus closure, and (3) compare participants' pre-pandemic event-level sexual behaviors with those occurring during campus closure. Of 2137 participants who completed both waves (49.8% women, mean age = 20.9), 2.6% were living at home in Wave 1 compared to 71.0% at Wave 2. Of those in relationships, 14.5% experienced a breakup and 25.3% stayed in their relationship but returned home to different cities. There were no statistically significant differences in participants' prior month reports of solo masturbation or sending/receiving nude/sexy images between Waves 1 and 2; however, participation in oral, vaginal, and anal sex significantly decreased across waves. Examining participants' most recent sexual events, Wave 2 sex more often occurred with a cohabiting or relationship partner and was rated as more wanted, emotionally intimate, and orgasmic. Implications for sexual health professionals are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debby Herbenick
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
| | - Devon J Hensel
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Sociology, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Heather Eastman-Mueller
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Jonathon Beckmeyer
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Learning Sciences and Human Development, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Tsung-Chieh Fu
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Lucia Guerra-Reyes
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Molly Rosenberg
- The Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Holtzman S, Kushlev K, Wozny A, Godard R. Long-distance texting: Text messaging is linked with higher relationship satisfaction in long-distance relationships. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 2021; 38:3543-3565. [PMID: 34924671 PMCID: PMC8669216 DOI: 10.1177/02654075211043296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to the widespread use of smartphones, romantic couples can connect with their partners from virtually anywhere, at any time. Remote communication may be particularly important to long-distance relationships (LDRs), compared to geographically close relationships (GCRs). The goals of the current research were to examine differences between LDRs and GCRs in (1) the patterns of remote communication (video calls, voice calls, and texting), and (2) how frequency and responsiveness of remote communication are related to relationship satisfaction. Data were drawn from an online survey of emerging adults (n = 647) who were in a relationship or dating someone (36.5% were in an LDR). Participants in LDRs engaged in more frequent video calling, voice calling and texting, compared to those in GCRs. Long-distance relationship participants also perceived their partners to be more responsive during video and voice calls, compared to GCR participants. More frequent and responsive texting predicted significantly greater relationship satisfaction among participants in LDRs, but not GCRs. Meanwhile, frequency of voice calls was associated with greater relationship satisfaction in GCRs, but not in LDRs. The use of video calls was not significantly related to relationship satisfaction in either group. Overall, study findings add to a growing literature on remote communication in romantic couples and suggest a uniquely positive role of texting within LDRs. Further research is needed to examine the ways in which LDR and GCR couples can best capitalize on different forms of remote technology to maintain their relationships during periods of separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Holtzman
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Kostadin Kushlev
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Alisha Wozny
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Rebecca Godard
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
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