An Evaluation of the Effects of Social Media on Romantic Relationships

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have brought about a paradigm shift in the way individuals communicate and access information across all spheres. These ICT platforms include mobile and social media platforms, which have enhanced the day-to-day interaction among individuals. Social media platforms play key roles in various forms of personal relations, including romantic relationships (dating, cohabiting and married individuals). Social media has on the one hand opened the communication obstacles between romantic partners, while on the other hand posed great threat to the sustainability of relationships on the other hand. This research investigated the influence of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat on romantic relationships. Sampling (n = 376) university students (EMU) from over 110 countries across the continent, the study collected quantitative data to investigate how social media use facilitates satisfaction between romantic partners. Questionnaires were distributed to participants where the responses received provided insight in to whether social media use may lead to monitoring, trust, infidelity and distraction in romantic relationships. The study also sought to investigate if monitoring, trust, infidelity and distraction will mediate the positive relationship between social media use and gratifications in romantic relationships. Findings in the study affirmed that social media use is a significant predictor to gratifications in romantic relationships. In addition, statistical findings revealed that social media use enhances monitoring of the romantic partner, with monitoring eliciting gratifications in romantic relationships. The findings further revealed that social media use does not have a statistical relationship with distractions, trust and infidelity. Quite importantly, research findings revealed that none of the variables mediated the positive relationship between social media use and gratifications in romantic relationships. The research further affirms and expands existing knowledge on the Media Multiplexity Theory and the Uses and Gratifications Theory. Conclusions are drawn from the findings and suggestions are made for further research. Keywords: social media; romantic relationship, relationship gratification; uses and gratifications theory; media multiplexity theory