1. Data Analysis & Results
Couples’ Texting Rituals: Associations with Relationship Satisfaction, Frequency of Conflict, and Frequency of Sex
AUTHORS
Carol J. Bruess, Ph.D., Professor, Communication and Journalism, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota USA; Brandon T. McDaniel, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences, Illinois State University, USA; Michelle Drouin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Indiana University/Purdue University-Fort Wayne, USA; Lucas Youngvorst, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Communication Studies, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, USA
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between couples’ use of texting as a ritual of connection – a manifestation of a couple’s relationship culture (Bruess & Pearson, 1997; 2002) – and couples’ self-reported relationship satisfaction, frequency of conflict, and frequency of sex. Although no known research has examined couples’ texting rituals, some research suggests new technologies are enhancing couple communication and have positive effects on the well-being of individuals within various relationship types (Bessiere, Kiesler, Kraut & Boneva, 2008; Kennedy et al., 2008; Valkenburg & Peter, 2007). Digital technologies provide couples a much-desired “presence-in-absence” (Vetere et al., 2005, p Results revealed that, for both men and women, texting rituals were significantly related to a stronger relationship culture (i.e., greater texting frequency between partners, greater relationship satisfaction, less frequent conflict, and more frequent sex). Given that texting rituals appear directly related to improved couple relationship dynamics, implications for relationship maintenance strategies via technology-mediated communication are advanced.
Data Analysis & Results
PARTICIPANTS
183 heterosexual couples, each part of the longitudinal study of family life, the Daily Family Life Project (DFLP).
All couples lived together and had at least one child age 5 or younger.
52% lived in Northeast, 17% West, 16% South, 15% Midwest.
Caucasian (91%), married (95%), had a college degree (72%), and not currently attending school (84%).
Age: Wives, years old (SD = 4.42; range 20 to 42). Husbands years old (SD = 4.98; range 22 to 52).
Yearly household income: $73,900 (SD = $39,500)
Relationship length, from 2 to 23 years; 92% in a relationship of 5 years or longer (M = 9.91 years, SD = 4.06).
Although the average on texting rituals fell around the neutral response option (for women M = 2.47, SD = 0.88; for men M = 2.55, SD = 0.91), 16% of participants rated that they had texting rituals (M ≥ 3.5). We found no significant difference between texting rituals as reported by men and women within couples (t (168) = -1.04, p = .30). Correlation analyses revealed that, in both men and women, texting rituals were significantly related to each of our dependent measures.
A multiple group structural equation modeling (SEM) approach in AMOS (Arbuckle & Wothke, 1999) was used to examine potential differences between women and men in associations between texting rituals and relationship quality variables. A model where parameter were freely estimated for men and women fit the data no better than a model with loadings constrained to be equal across genders (Äχ² (4) = 2.44, p = .66), suggesting there were no significant differences between men and women on average in the strength of our model paths. Upon solidifying model fit (e.g., correlating residuals of relationship quality variables, controlling for the general frequency of texting one’s partner), the final constrained model fit the data well (χ² (10) = 3.59, p = .96; RMSEA = .00; CFI = 1.00). The model with standardized path estimates is shown in Figure 1. As hypothesized, texting rituals were related to greater relationship satisfaction (β = .17, p < .001), less conflict (β = -.15, p < .01), and more frequent sex (β = .26, p < .001).
MEASURES
Texting Rituals. The “Texting As a Relationship Culture” scale (TARC) was created for this study (Adapted from RCRR; Pearson Child, & Carmon, 2010; a = .89 & .90 for women and men, respectively).
Frequency of conflict. Participants rated how often 8 items (e.g., finances, communication, intimacy) are problematic in their relationship (RELATE; Busby, Holman, & Taniguchi, 2001; a = .77 & .82 for women and men, respectively).
Frequency of sex. Using an 8-point scale, participants rated how frequently they engage in sexual activity with their partner.
Relationship satisfaction. Participants rated their satisfaction with the relationship (QMI; Norton, 1983; a = .96 & .95 for women and men, respectively).
Frequency of texting. Using a 9-point scale, participants rated how frequently they engaged in texting their partner.