Mediated Communication in Long Distance Relationships

Many people in this day and age are experiencing and living a long distance relationship. Long distance relationships have the challenges of time, space, and few physical encounters; therefore, it is important to research the level of satisfaction that these couples experience. This study is a naturalistic inquiry and its purpose is to examine long distance relationships satisfaction and the way they communicate through media devices. This study consisted of three individuals between the ages of 22-26 who were currently in a long distance romantic relationship. These participants were interviewed about the level of satisfaction of the relationship and the type of media they use to communicate and maintain their relationship. Physical embracement (physical contact, such as kissing and hugging), self-disclosure (revealing information about oneself), and positive communication (communication that relies on the positive side of situations, instead of the negative) are important aspects that couples in long distance relationships consider to be very important in managing their relationship. The analysis of the study compares and relates the relationship experience of the different participants and provides an adequate answer to the research questions of the study. It is discovered that long distance relationship partners maintain their relationship with constant communication via different types of media, which makes them feel more connected to their partners and experience similar feeling as if they were face to face. The relationship cultivated online is based on more trust, time, effort, communication, and understanding. Secondly, it is found that couples use video chatting more often than cell phone to create more intimacy and closeness in their relationships. Keywords: long-distance relationship, online, positive communication, self-disclosure, physical embracemen