Social Networks and Relationship Maintenance

Sprecher, Susan; Felmlee, Diane; Stokes, Jeffrey E.; McDaniel, Brandon T.

doi:10.1017/9781108304320.009

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 120 publications

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“…Furthermore, social networks represent potent factors in the unfolding of intimate relationships over time and shape relationships in multiple ways. Other research suggests that family and friends help individuals to locate a potential partner (Sprecher et al, 2002), choose whom to date (Wright & Sinclair, 2012), enhance satisfaction and relationship stability over time by providing support for relationships (e.g., Etcheverry & Agnew, 2004;Felmlee, 2001;Sprecher & Felmlee, 1992), and influence relationship maintenance (Sprecher et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social network pressure on women and men to enter a romantic relationship and fear of being single

Sprecher

Felmlee

2021

Interpersona

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The romantic dyad is emphasized in society, which leads to the question of whether single (non-partnered) adults in emerging adulthood perceive pressure from their social network members to become partnered. The first purpose of this study was to examine the degree of pressure to enter a relationship that single (unattached) men and women perceive that they receive from two social networks (parents/family and friends) and whether there is a gender difference in this degree of pressure to partner. The second purpose was to examine how social pressure to partner is associated with the fear of being single (FOBS). A sample of 616 single (unpartnered) adults ages 18 to 30, primarily from the U.S., reported some degree of network pressure to enter a relationship on average. Greater pressure to become partnered was perceived from parents/family than from friends. Women scored higher than men on an index of social pressure from parents/family to enter a relationship and also higher on an index measuring FOBS. Social network pressure to enter a relationship was associated with a greater FOBS for both men and women.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social network pressure on women and men to enter a romantic relationship and fear of being single

Sprecher

Felmlee

2021

Interpersona

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“…Other research has identified individual-level risk factors, including a history of more sexual partners for each partner (Busby et al, 2013) and parental divorce (Rodrigues et al, 2006); dyadic risk factors, including relationship quality and destructive communication (Markman et al, 2010); and contextual factors, such as low social support (Sprecher et al, 2006). Among samegender couples, Khaddouma et al (2015) similarly found that dyadic factors (e.g., relationship satisfaction, commitment, and conflict/ arguing), individual factors (e.g., depressive symptoms), and contextual factors (e.g., social support) were associated with current perceived likelihood of breakup.…”

Section: Gaps In the Literature On Relationship Dissolution In Female...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal predictors of relationship dissolution in female same-gender and queer couples: A 7-year follow-up study.

Scott,

Knopp,

et al. 2023

Couple and Family Psychology: Research and

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“…These reactions, which include comments on relationship posts on Facebook, can influence whether the relationship is maintained versus ends. If others support one's romantic relationship, the relationship is more likely to be maintained (see Sprecher et al, 2020). Furthermore, relationship dissolution has been found to spread through social networks, including up to a distance of two connections away (i.e., a friend of a friend) (McDermott et al, 2013).…”

Section: Needs Met By Acquaintancesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acquaintanceships (weak ties): Their role in people's web of relationships and their formation

Sprecher

2022

Personal Relationships

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The multidisciplinary field of personal relationships has focused primarily on strong ties (romantic relationships, friendships, family relationships). However, acquaintances (weak ties) are pervasive in people's lives, contribute to well‐being, influence strong ties, and can become strong ties over time. This review article synthesizes several areas of literature about the role of acquaintances (weak ties) in the web of relationships and about the formation of acquaintanceships. The terms acquaintances and weak ties are used interchangeably in this article to refer to the type of relationship that exists in the peripheral layers of social networks. In the first section, I discuss the literature on factors associated with the size of people's acquaintance network, needs met by acquaintances (compared to those of closer ties), health and happiness benefits of interaction with acquaintances, and the dark side of acquaintances including having unwanted acquaintances. In the second section, I discuss how acquaintanceships are formed, and particularly the type that can develop into a closer tie. This section summarizes research from the literatures on friendship formation, relationship initiation, attraction, and first interactions of dyads at zero‐acquaintance. I end the article by identifying several research topics on acquaintances that could be studied by the next generation of scholars.

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Social Networks and Relationship Maintenance

Cited by 5 publications

References 120 publications

Social network pressure on women and men to enter a romantic relationship and fear of being single

Social network pressure on women and men to enter a romantic relationship and fear of being single

Longitudinal predictors of relationship dissolution in female same-gender and queer couples: A 7-year follow-up study.

Acquaintanceships (weak ties): Their role in people's web of relationships and their formation

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