Eastern Michigan University
DigitalCommons@EMU
Senior Honors Theses
Honors College
2011
Maintaining Relationships: Facebook's Affect on
Long-Distance Friendships
Steven-Paul Lapid
Eastern Michigan University
Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.emich.edu/honors
Part of the Communication Technology and New Media Commons
Recommended Citation
Lapid, Steven-Paul, "Maintaining Relationships: Facebook's Affect on Long-Distance Friendships" (2011). Senior Honors Theses. 280.
http://commons.emich.edu/honors/280
This Open Access Senior Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors College at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been
accepted for inclusion in Senior Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected].
Maintaining Relationships: Facebook's Affect on Long-Distance
Friendships
Abstract
Technological advancements in media have made it easier to maintain relationships over long distances. Social
networking interfaces and websites such as Facebook have changed the way people communicate in
geographically separated relationships. However, is this new technology improving or hindering
communication and the maintenance of these relationships? In this exploratory study, self reports of
FAcebook users and nonusers are analyzed to examine the effect social networking technology has on
relational maintenance and satisfaction. Participants reported their general use of Facebook and reported the
quality of their relationships with long-distant acquaintances. This report provides new research opportunities
in this growing field of study.
Degree Type
Open Access Senior Honors Thesis
Department
Communication, Media and Theatre Arts
First Advisor
Dennis Patrick
Subject Categories
Communication Technology and New Media
This open access senior honors thesis is available at DigitalCommons@EMU: http://commons.emich.edu/honors/280