A Qualitative Analysis of Loneliness Dynamics Involved with College Long-distance Relationships

The present phenomenological, qualitative research study involved in-depth interviews of all 16 female, sophomore students involved in respective distance relationships at a private, selective, comprehensive. Midwest university. Among other results found in the study, the present article specifically addressed the loneliness dynamics involved with the distance relationships. Four, themes relating to loneliness were found in the data analysis. First, loneliness tends to be acute after seeing the boyfriend, around holidays, when their friends go on dates, on bad days, when seeing other happy couples on campus, and during lull times. Second, loneliness tends to decrease when students are busy and when doing activities with local friends. Third, coping strategies include calling to talk and having other friends as their support-base. And finally, distance relationships tend to generate needy tensions and give the relationship a highly perceived value