Conflict experiences of long-distance dating relationships versus geographically close dating relationships
Location
Culp Room 219
Start Date
4-6-2022 9:30 AM
End Date
4-6-2022 9:45 AM
Faculty Sponsor’s Department
Communication & Performance
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Christine Anzur
Competition Type
Non-Competitive
Type
Boland Symposium
Project's Category
Communications
Abstract or Artist's Statement
Conflict experiences of long-distance dating relationships versus geographically close dating relationships
Abigail Hammonds, Department of Communication and Performance, College of Arts and Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tn.
Interpersonal relationships inherently involve conflict. Previous research has examined conflict in romantic relationships, but few studies have compared the experiences of long-distance partners and geographically close partners. This study was designed to examine whether individuals in long-distance dating relationships and geographically close dating relationships would differ in their use of conflict strategies and experiences of conflict intensity. Participants were recruited from Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit.com. Participants completed a survey including the 39-item Romantic Partner Conflict Scale designed to measure six subscales of conflict management strategies; as well as a new 7-item measure of conflict intensity that was developed for this study. The items were derived from previous research and the measure was tested for reliability. This study found that individuals in long-distance dating relationships and individuals in geographically close dating relationships have extremely similar experiences of conflict and conflict management styles. These results indicate that conflict management styles alter more based on the individual members in the relationship and are unlikely to be changed due to the nature of the relationship. Feature research should be completed to explore determinants of conflict style.
Conflict experiences of long-distance dating relationships versus geographically close dating relationships
Culp Room 219
Conflict experiences of long-distance dating relationships versus geographically close dating relationships
Abigail Hammonds, Department of Communication and Performance, College of Arts and Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tn.
Interpersonal relationships inherently involve conflict. Previous research has examined conflict in romantic relationships, but few studies have compared the experiences of long-distance partners and geographically close partners. This study was designed to examine whether individuals in long-distance dating relationships and geographically close dating relationships would differ in their use of conflict strategies and experiences of conflict intensity. Participants were recruited from Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit.com. Participants completed a survey including the 39-item Romantic Partner Conflict Scale designed to measure six subscales of conflict management strategies; as well as a new 7-item measure of conflict intensity that was developed for this study. The items were derived from previous research and the measure was tested for reliability. This study found that individuals in long-distance dating relationships and individuals in geographically close dating relationships have extremely similar experiences of conflict and conflict management styles. These results indicate that conflict management styles alter more based on the individual members in the relationship and are unlikely to be changed due to the nature of the relationship. Feature research should be completed to explore determinants of conflict style.