Internet versus face-to-face dating: A study of relationship satisfaction, commitment, and sustainability

This study compared the relationships formed by couples over the internet with those that originated in face-to-face interactions, using an international sample of 803 internet users. The two groups were compared for relationship satisfaction, commitment, stability, and personality styles. Relationship satisfaction was measured using the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and Relationship Satisfaction Scale (RSS). Four subscales of the Commitment Inventory (CI) were used to assess participants' commitment to their partners, and stability of the relationships was evaluated through its longevity. The personality styles were evaluated with the help of Big-Five Personality Factor Scales using International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). The relationships formed online were found to be more satisfying than the ones that originated in face-to-face interactions. Internet users who formed relationships online were found to be as committed to their partners as people who met their partners face-to-face. Furthermore, the face-to-face relationships were found to be lasting longer than internet relationships due to the fact that online dating is a relatively new phenomenon and these relationships are naturally shorter than the traditional ones. The personality styles did not vary between two groups. How secure and confident a person feels was the only personality factor consistently predicting relationship satisfaction and commitment across all groups and both genders, except for the relationship commitment in the internet group.