Communication Better in Long-Distance Relationship Than Face-to-Face One

A new study published in the Journal of Communication suggests that people who are in a long-distance relationship tend to relate and communicate with their partners better than couples who see each other every day. The study was conducted by Cornell University’s Dr Jeffrey Hancock and Dr Crystal Jiang from City University of Hong Kong who surveyed a group of dating couples, both in long distance and geographically close relationships. The couples were asked to keep a log of how they communicated with their partners, such as face-to-face or through e-mail, phone calls, video chat etc, how much intimacy they experienced and how much they shared about themselves.

The researchers found that those who are in long-distance relationships felt that their partners were more responsive to them and tend to share more personal feelings and thoughts compared to normal couples.

“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. The long-distance couples try harder than geographically close couples in communicating affection and intimacy, and their efforts do pay back”, Dr Jiang said.

Source-Medindia