Facebook as a Communicational Tool in Romantic Relationships of European and North American Adolescents and Young Adults

A Literature Review

Bachelor Thesis , 2017 , 63 Pages , Grade: 1.7

Communications - Interpersonal Communication

A relatively small amount of research addresses romantic relationship communication on Facebook. However, the aim of this literature review was to conclude current research about romantic relationship communication of European and North American adolescents and young adults on Facebook.

Communication behaviours were observed in Knapp’s (1978) three relational stages: formation, maintenance, and dissolution. Facebook was found to be a significant communicational tool for adolescents and young adults in romantic relationships. Findings displayed that not only communication between partners but also between couple and network influence relationship outcomes. The availability of information can lead to dialectical struggles between relationship partners (Baxter, 2011), and high levels of social control from romantic relationship partners’ networks.

A special importance of Facebook was found in the relationship formation, where Facebook serves as the main tool to communicate and to gather information about potential and existing partners. Relationship maintenance on Facebook requires publications of relationship information. The frequency and importance of those publications depends on the relationship partners and their Facebook networks. No research has been conducted on relationship dissolutions on Facebook yet. Although, research on behaviours after the dissolution revealed that former partners cleared their profiles from information connected to ex-partners. Harassment and monitoring of ex-partners were also reported behaviours. More research is needed to provide sufficient evidence to validate the presented data. Additionally, only a small amount of research addresses the reliability of offline behaviour and links between offline and online behaviour in the field of romantic relationships.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Method
  • 1.2 The Sociological Problem of Romantic Relationships
• 2. Theories
  • 2.1 Social Exchange Theory
  • 2.2 Social Exchange Theory and Romantic Relationships
  • 2.3 Social Network Theories and Analysis
  • 2.4 Knapp's Relational Stage Model
  • 2.5 Baxter's Relational Dialectics Theory
• 3. Communication on Facebook and Facebook User Demographics
  • 3.1 Understanding Facebook Communication
  • 3.2 Internet and Facebook Usage
    • 3.2.1 Facebook usage in general population
    • 3.2.2 Facebook usage in adolescents and young adults
    • 3.2.3 Facebook relationship status distributions
      • 3.2.3.1 Relationship status distributions of all ages
      • 3.2.3.2 Relationship status distributions of young adults
    • 3.2.4 Gender differences
  • 3.3 Conclusion
• 4. Romantic Relationships and Facebook
  • 4.1 Romantic Relationship Formation and Facebook
    • 4.1.1 Facebook's role in early romantic relationship stages
      • 4.1.1.1 Usage and strategies
      • 4.1.1.2 Implications for social acting
    • 4.1.2 Becoming Facebook official
  • 4.2 Romantic Relationship Maintenance and Facebook
    • 4.2.1 Maintaining a romantic relationship on Facebook
    • 4.2.2 Representing a romantic relationship on Facebook
  • 4.3 Romantic Relationship Dissolution and Facebook
• 5. Discussion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This literature review aims to explore current research about romantic relationship communication of European and North American adolescents and young adults on Facebook. The review focuses on communication behaviours observed in Knapp's (1978) three relational stages: formation, maintenance, and dissolution.

• The role of Facebook in romantic relationships among adolescents and young adults.
• The impact of Facebook communication on relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution.
• The influence of social networks on romantic relationships, including communication patterns and relationship outcomes.
• The interplay between online and offline communication in romantic relationships.
• The potential challenges and benefits of using Facebook for romantic relationships.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides an overview of the research topic and the methodology used in the literature review. Chapter 2 explores relevant theories, including social exchange theory, social network theories, Knapp's relational stage model, and Baxter's relational dialectics theory. Chapter 3 examines Facebook communication and user demographics, analyzing internet and Facebook usage patterns, relationship status distributions, and gender differences. Chapter 4 delves into the relationship between romantic relationships and Facebook, focusing on the role of Facebook in relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This literature review focuses on romantic relationship communication, online social media, social networking sites, and Facebook. It examines the influence of Facebook on the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of romantic relationships among European and North American adolescents and young adults.

• College: University of Bremen (Department of Sociology)
• Course: B.A. Sociology
• Grade: 1.7
• Author: Max Korbmacher (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 63
• Catalog Number: V386683
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668627536
• ISBN (Book): 9783668627543
• Language: English
• Tags: SocialNetworkingSite, OnlineSocialMedia, RelationshipCommunication, SocialMedia, Facebook, Relationshipsonline, Relationships, RomanticRelationships, ModernRelationship