| In this study, the role of relational maintenance strategies and perceived relational equity in parasocial relationships are explored. Parasocial interaction literature, while extensive, has focused solely on the formation of these mediated relationships, not the maintenance of them. Presented in this study are the types of maintenance strategies used to maintain parasocial relationships, and the effect of attraction and relational commitment on these strategies and parasocial relationships in general. Findings clearly indicate a correlation between mediated relational maintenance strategies and parasocial relationships. Further, results show that affirmative relational characteristics such as attraction and commitment are also positively associated with both parasocial relationships and mediated relational maintenance. |
