Date

4-7-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Stephanie Phillips

Keywords

social media use, romantic relationship satisfaction, heterosexual men, digital communication, intimacy, Uses and Gratifications Theory, Gottman’s Theory of Relationship Satisfaction

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

The rapid growth of social media has transformed how individuals communicate and maintain romantic relationships, introducing both opportunities for connection and potential relational challenges. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how men in heterosexual romantic relationships perceive the influence of social media use on their relationship satisfaction, including aspects of intimacy, trust, communication, and the balance between face-to-face and digital interactions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via video conferencing with 13 men aged 18–35 who had been in a heterosexual romantic relationship for at least one year and were active social media users. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis supported by MAXQDA. Findings indicate that social media extends intimacy through private communication, shared digital rituals, expressions of support, and maintaining closeness when physically apart. Participants also identified relational challenges such as distraction, social comparison, jealousy, miscommunication, and mismatched expectations for responsiveness. These findings contribute to the understanding of how digital communication intersects with relational processes and offer implications for clinicians, educators, and future research on technology and relationships.

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