Long-Distance Relationship Enhances Bond Between Couples

Long-distance relationships help build stronger and deeper bonds, a latest study suggests.

The study published in the Journal of Communication surveyed couples involved in long-distance relationships and those in 'normal' relationships. The researchers asked them to report their daily interactions through phone calls, face-to-face, video chat, texts, and other social media, for a week.

The results found that long-distance couples shared more personal feelings and thoughts and said their partners were more responsive than the other normal couples.

"The positive illusion goes away when they spend more time together," said lead researcher Dr Crystal Jiang, of City University of Hong Kong and Dr. Jeffrey Hancock, associate professor of communications at Cornell University.

The study found that couples in long-distance relationships have to make-up for their face-face conversations. "One strategy is to maintain constant communication, such as video chat, texting, instant messaging and letters," Dr Jiang said.

Because of the distance the couples were found to share more personal information than usual mundane things. "They adapt their messages, for example, by focusing on relationally intense topics, such as love, caring and intimacy," said Jiang. "Our culture emphasizes being together physically and frequent face-to-face contact for close relationships, but long-distance relationships clearly stand against all these values."

Over three million Americans are involved in long-distance relationship, the study noted. In order to maintain their relationship, the long-distance couples try harder than the normal couples communicating affection and intimacy. "Use more frequent and longer communications-Skyping and phone calls, for example, rather than texting and quick emails-and don't forget to express your affection and commitment," Dr Jiang suggested.