Type of Document Master's Thesis Author Yin, Lijuan Author's Email Address yinlijuan@gmail.com URN etd-08132009-114349 Title COMMUNICATION CHANNELS, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND SATISFACTION IN LONG DISTANCE ROMANTIC RELATIONSIHPS Degree Master of Arts Department Communications Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Cynthia Hoffner Committee Chair Jaye Atkinson Committee Member Yuki Fujioka Committee Member Keywords
- Social support
- Relational uncertainty
- Satisfaction
- Communication channel
- Long distance relationships
Date of Defense 2009-08-11 Availability unrestricted Abstract 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.
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