Looks like long-distance relationships come with benefits after all! A new research claims that couple who live apart have more meaningful interactions than those who see each other on a daily basis.
The study, published in the Journal of Communication, found that men and women in long-distance relationships were more likely to share meaningful thoughts and feelings than those who were not. It also says that couples tend to idealize their partners’ behaviors, which eventually leads to a greater sense of intimacy.
Crystal Jiang, an assistant professor with City University of Hong Kong says that couples shouldn’t worry about being geographically apart as “they are capable of communicating intimacy”.
After studying 63 heterosexual couples – half of whom were in long-distance relationships – about their typical communication, the research showed that couples who lived apart tend to have fewer daily interactions, but the interaction they have were longer and meaningful, with each person revealing more about him or herself.
Researchers aren’t able to determine why it is such, but Rachel Sussman, a licensed psychotherapist and author of The Breakup Bible: The Smart Woman’s Guide to Healing from a Breakup or Divorce, says that technology has something to do with it.
“I think Skype and FaceTime really do help — you’re seeing someone’s face and having those facial expressions really makes a big difference,” she said. “Sometimes when we’re on the telephone, we can be distracted, but if you’re sitting down for a video chat, then you’re really focused on each other.”
Of course, long-distance relationships can be stressful, but Jiang is positive that the recent findings can give people confidence that long distance relationships aren’t doomed to fail! [Source]
Have you been/are in a long-distance relationship? Do you agree with the research?
