Is Twitter Use Linked
to Infidelity and Divorce?
Yes! Read the research below that shows
that active Twitter users are more likely to have conflict with their partners
no matter how new or old their relationship is. I am not sure if it shows that
using Twitter CAUSES the conflict. A causal relationship is harder to
determine. It may be a symptom.
April 7, 2014 Source University
of Missouri-Columbia
Summary:
Scientists
found that active Twitter users are far more likely to experience
Twitter–related conflict with their romantic partners. However, new research
shows that Twitter use could actually be damaging to users' romantic
relationships. Scientists found that active Twitter users are far more likely
to experience Twitter-related conflict with their romantic partners.
Twitter
and other social networking services have revolutionized the way people create
and maintain relationships. However, new research shows that Twitter use could
actually be damaging to users' romantic relationships. Russell Clayton, a
doctoral student in the University of Missouri School of Journalism, found that
active Twitter users are far more likely to experience Twitter-related conflict
with their romantic partners. Clayton's results showed that Twitter-related
conflict then leads to negative relationship outcomes, including emotional and
physical cheating, breakup and divorce.
In his study, Clayton surveyed 581 Twitter users of all ages.
Clayton asked participants questions about their Twitter use such as how often
they login in to Twitter, tweet, scroll the Twitter newsfeed, send direct
messages to others, and reply to followers. Clayton also asked how much, if
any, conflict arose between participants' current or former partners as a
result of Twitter use. For example, Clayton asked: "How often do you have
an argument with your current or former partner because of too much Twitter
use?" Clayton found
that the more often a respondent reported being active on Twitter, the more
likely they were to experience Twitter-related conflict with their partner,
which then significantly predicted negative relationship outcomes such as
cheating, breakup and divorce.
"The aim of this study was to examine whether the findings
of Claytons' recent study, which concluded that Facebook use predicted Facebook-related conflict, which
then led to breakup and divorce were consistent with another social networking
site platform: Twitter."
In his previous research on Facebook, Clayton found that
Facebook-related conflict and negative relationship outcomes were greater among
couples in newer relationships of 36 months or less. In his new research
regarding Twitter, Clayton found these outcomes occurred regardless of duration
of relationship.
"I found it
interesting that active Twitter users experienced Twitter-related conflict and
negative relationship outcomes regardless of length of romantic
relationship," Clayton said. "Couples who reported being in relatively new
relationships experienced the same amount of conflict as those in longer
relationships."
If Twitter users are experiencing Twitter-related conflict with
their partner, Clayton recommends couples of all ages limit their daily and
weekly use of social networking sites to more healthy, reasonable levels.
"Although a number of variables can contribute to
relationship infidelity and separation, social networking site usage, such as
Twitter and Facebook use, can be damaging to relationships," Clayton said.
"Therefore, users should cut back to moderate, healthy levels of Twitter
use if they are experiencing Twitter or Facebook -- related conflict. Some
couples share joint social networking site accounts to reduce relationship
conflict, and there are some social networking site apps, such as the 2Life
app, that facilitates interpersonal communication between partners."
Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided
by University of Missouri-Columbia. Note:
Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
1. Clayton
et al. “The Third Wheel: The Impact of Twitter Use on Relationship
Infidelity and Divorce. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social
Networking, 2014 DOI: 10.1089/yber.2013.0570
University
of Missouri-Columbia. "Twitter use linked to infidelity and divorce."
ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 April 2014.
6.htm>.
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.
