Long-distance relationship
A long-distance relationship (LDR) refers to a romantic or friendship bond between two individuals separated by significant geographical distance, often resulting in limited physical contact. These relationships are increasingly common among college students, military personnel, and professionals relocating for career opportunities. The lack of face-to-face interaction presents unique challenges, such as financial strains and difficulties in assessing relationship dynamics. However, advancements in technology, including video calling and social media, facilitate communication and help maintain intimacy, allowing couples to remain connected despite the distance.
Research has shown that long-distance relationships can be as fulfilling and intimate as their geographically close counterparts, with effective communication playing a crucial role in their success. Studies indicate that couples in LDRs often engage in deeper conversations, fostering emotional connectivity. Notably, military long-distance relationships may face additional pressures due to deployment, but both civilian and military partners can benefit from strong communication and support systems. Overall, while long-distance relationships require significant effort and commitment, they have the potential to thrive and offer meaningful connections.
On this Page
Long-distance relationship
A long-distance relationship is a friendship or romantic relationship between two individuals who live in different locations. A long-distance relationship is sometimes referred to as an LDR. Those involved in a long-distance relationships do not often have physical contact with one another. They are common among college students, military couples, and professionals moving for job opportunities.
Background
Long-distance relationships are like geographically close relationships in many ways, but they do come with a number of characteristics that are unique to maintaining contact and intimacy while apart. All relationships are challenging, but the lack of regular physical contact and face-to-face interaction make long-distance relationships particularly challenging. Some other common problems are difficulty in judging the state of a relationship because of distance, financial burdens in maintaining relationships, difficulty maintaining current friendships because of a romantic long-distance relationship, and expectations for quality meetings when individuals are physically together.
Long-distance relationships are now fairly common among US couples and those abroad. As of 2013, about three million American married couples live apart from one another, and about 75 percent of college-age Americans have been in a long-distance relationship, according to Time magazine. There are many factors that can keep a couple geographically apart, but current technology and the range of devices and apps available facilitate the continuation of these relationships. Cell phones, social media, and video chat have made it easier to keep in touch with a romantic partner. Social media has helped long-distance couples remain in contact with one another, and it also helps to emulate positive relationship techniques such as openness, assurances, networking, and conflict management. Pew Research Center found that 24 percent of Internet users in 2013 with recent dating experience used the Internet or other digital means to maintain a long-distance relationship.
Overview
Despite the difficulties inherent in long-distance relationships, studies have shown that healthy, long-term relationships between couples that live apart are possible. They have also found that long-distance relationships can be as healthy and fulfilling as geographically close couples. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Communication found that long-distance relationships foster as much, if not more, intimacy than other relationships. The researchers polled sixty-three heterosexual couples to collect data. They found that while couples apart may communicate less than other couples, those communications are more self-revelatory and can have more importance than communication in other couples. It found that verbal understanding became more important, while practical help and "being there" becomes more important in geographically close relationships.
Another study completed in 2013 found relatively few differences between couples living far away and those living close together. This study also took responses from 474 women and 243 men in long-distance relationships, as well as 314 women and 111 men in geographically close relationships. The results showed that both kinds of couples were doing well in their relationships, regardless of proximity. This study also found that the longer the distance, the more effective the couple was at communicating deeper thoughts and emotions. While each has downsides and benefits (for example, long-distance couples tend to be better at discussing their sexual relationship, while couples who are closer get to have a significantly more active sexual relationship) the researchers came to the conclusion that the pros and cons evened themselves out.
The researchers also noticed that distance changed the way couples interact with one another. All relationships require maintenance and the strengthening of a relationship through actions. Many in long-distance relationships have to be extra vigilant in their maintenance in order to continue their relationship. Some areas that require extra work are in commitment and assurances of that commitment, openness with regard to feelings, and maintaining consistent positive interactions as much as possible.
There is often a large difference between military-related long-distance relationships and civilian long-distance relationships. With thousands of members of the US military deployed, these types of relationships tend to add more stress on both partners. Regular long-distance relationships tend to include more communication between significant others, while the communication between military personnel and their partners might be censored or regulated.
The nature of a military relationship is also different because the partner in the military often puts (or is forced to put) their military duty above all else. Many military relationships are marriages; it is fairly traditional within the military to marry young or to marry before deployment. The partner remaining at home might feel lonely, unsure about the level of commitment in the relationship, and worried about his or her partner within a combat zone. Some of the emotions a partner at home might face include anxiety, anger, depression, and loss. Many civilian partners must learn methods of coping, such as sharing concerns about the relationship, in order to make it a successful one. Therapy and a support system are recommended for the partner at home, as well as for when the military partner returns.
Bibliography
Burton, Natasha. "Military Marriage: 10 Things You May Not Know." Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 28 May 2012. Web. 19 July 2016.
Dargie, Emma, et al. "Go Long! Predictors of Positive Relationship Outcomes in Long-Distance Dating Relationships." Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy 41.2 (2015): 181–202. Print.
Jacobs, Tom. "Study: Long-Distance Relationships May Work Better." Salon. Salon Media Group, 10 Dec. 2013. Web. 19 July 2016.
Jiang, Crystal L., and Jeffrey T. Hancock. "Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder: Geographic Separation, Interpersonal Media, and Intimacy in Dating Relationships." Journal of Communication 63.3 (2013): 556–77. Print.
Luscombe, Belinda. "Let’s Spend Some Time Apart: Long-Distance Relationships Are Deeper." Time. Time, 18 July 2013. Web. 19 July 2016.
Smith, Aaron, and Maeve Duggan. "Part 3: The Broader Online Environment around Dating and Relationships." Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 19 July 2016.