Predictors of relational satisfaction and intimacy in the computer-mediated communication of romantic partners

Today's widespread Internet use challenges some presumptions of early perspectives and models of interpersonal communication. The goal of this dissertation was to employ a communication perspective to expand an otherwise limited understanding of the relationship between computer-mediation and intimacy and satisfaction for proximal and long-distance couples. Instruments consist of the Iowa Communication Record, the Hendrick Relational Assessment Scale and the Miller Social Intimacy Scale. Results include the finding that no statistically significant difference exists between the proximal romantic relationship group and the long-distance romantic relationship group regarding intimacy or satisfaction. This finding refutes cues-filtered-out perspectives such as Social Presence Theory, Media Richness Theory and the Reduced Social Cues Model, which contend that computer-mediated communication may be ineffective or unable to sustain intimate relationships. The study also suggests that the number of interactions per respondent may be negatively related to intimacy in proximal romantic relationships and positively related to intimacy in long-distance romantic relationships. These and other findings indicate (1) computer mediated communication is effective for romantic relationships, (2) models of intimacy and satisfaction need reevaluation and (3) communication is an important means of sustaining intimacy and satisfaction.