Date of Submission

Fall 2018

Academic Programs and Concentrations

Psychology

Project Advisor 1

Stuart Levine

Abstract/Artist's Statement

Although cliché, the simple quote, distance makes the heart grow fonder inspired this complex study. Oftentimes, long distance relationships are stigmatized as unsuccessful. This stigmatization is often based on the experiences of past generations. However, it is important to study long distance relationships in a more modern light, especially being that the invention of certain types of technology has made these relationships increasingly possible. The purpose of this study is to examine the idea that long distance relationships have the ability to be as successful as their proximal counterparts. While long distance relationships are often decorated with a myriad of negative labels, many individuals, particularly young individuals, are increasingly engaging in such relationships. This study focused on individuals aged 18 to 22 because many people within this age group decide to relocate to gain a college education, and therefore are faced with the decision of whether or not to engage in a long distance relationship with their current partners. According to my hypothesis, long distance relationships are just as, or even more so, satisfying than proximal relationships based on the central variable of trust, which is inherently stronger in long distance relationships. Online surveys were implemented in my study as a means of collecting data to test this hypothesis. With a total of 31 participant responses, my results did not constitute statistically significant results. However, my survey results had emotional significance, especially for those involved in long distance relationships, because the results signified that individuals are just as happy and satisfied in long distance relationships as they are in proximal ones. This also reinforces the idea that individuals are generally in a happy state simply being involved in a romantic relationship.

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On-Campus only

Creative Commons License

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