Ignore Your Partners’ Current Facebook Friends; Beware The Ones They Add!
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2014
Publication Source
Computers in Human Behavior
Volume Number
35
First Page
483
Last Page
488
Publisher
Elsevier Science, Ltd.
ISSN
0747-5632
Abstract
In this study, we examined two behaviors that could evoke Facebook jealousy and cause relationship problems among romantic partners: (1) Facebook solicitation behaviors (i.e., making or accepting friend requests with romantic interests) while in the current relationship, and (2) having romantic interests on existing Facebook friends lists. In our sample of 148 undergraduates, those who had lower commitment to their partners were more likely to make and accept Facebook friend requests with romantic interests during their relationship. However, commitment was unrelated to the number of romantic alternatives contained on one's Facebook friends list or the frequency of Facebook solicitation while single. Additionally, attachment anxiety predicted Facebook solicitation behaviors, but this relationship was mediated by Facebook jealousy. Our findings confirm that Facebook is used to solicit connections with romantic interests both while single and during committed relationships; however, it is only those connections that are made during the relationship that are markers of lower commitment. Moreover, our study adds to a growing body of research that connects face-to-face relationship theories to the virtual environment. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Social Networking, Commitment, Facebook Jealousy, Facebook Solicitation, Attachment, Facebook Friends, Green-eyed Monster, Investment Model, Romantic Jealousy, Relationship Satisfaction, Commitment, Attachment, Sex
Recommended Citation
Drouin, Michelle, Daniel A. Miller, and Jayson L. Dibble. “Ignore Your Partners’ Current Facebook Friends; Beware the Ones They Add!” Computers in Human Behavior 35 (June 2014): 483–88. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.02.032.
