WAHINGTON: There is no way to escape the digital world we live in. Many factors can have an impact on our relationships, including continued engagement.
On the one hand, it can keep us connected to our social networks, but on the other, it can cut us off from the present and our personal relationships.
Technoference, a term coined by researchers Brandon McDaniel and Sarah Coyne, refers to situations in which technology disrupts romantic interactions or quality time spent together.
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They found in a 2016 study that participants thought technology had an effect on their relationships. The use of technology in relationships was more controversial,
Relationship satisfaction was lower, depressive symptoms were higher, and life satisfaction was lower among those who reported more technology in their relationships.
An important distinction is between technology that promotes communication between partners and that which hinders such interaction.
This is important to note because other research has demonstrated that partner communication, such as texting, can continue throughout the day.
According to research by Jonathan Pettigrew (2009), technology has "push" and "pull" aspects when it comes to texting. Technology encourages communication between people in situations where it would otherwise be challenging or impossible.
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Technology, however, draws people into different contexts, distancing them from their immediate surroundings and potential face-to-face interactions. People cannot be fully present in that way.
Think pairings of Amy and Sean and Dan and Nina.
Sean and Amy communicate their thoughts to each other via text messages throughout the day. They sometimes send text messages as reminders, such as to add items to a shopping list or pick up dry cleaning.
However, most of their conversations focus on their relationship as a couple. They take care to avoid using technology at dinnertime at home so they can talk about their days.
Dan and Nina, on the other hand, frequently use technology as a means of escape. Due to his busy schedule at work, he rarely uses his phone during the day.
They often pick them up at the dinner table or while watching TV together, at the end of the night, to check email or check social media.
Amy and Sean, the first couple, use the technology to communicate, while Dan and Nina use it as a means of escape. They may not be trying to run away from each other, but email and social media are pulling them away from their existing connections.
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While keeping in touch with family, friends, and coworkers on social media can be a great way to reconnect with people we haven't seen in a while, it can also have some adverse effects on our romantic relationships.
Be mindful of how you interact with your partner on social media, how much time you spend there and how you choose to do it.