Psychology Faculty Publications

A Qualitative Analysis of Loneliness Dynamics Involved with College Long-distance Relationships

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2014

Journal Title

College Student Journal

Volume

48

Issue

1

First Page

57

Last Page

71

Abstract

The present phenomenological, qualitative research study involved in-depth interviews of all 16 female, sophomore students involved in respective distance relationships at a private, selective, comprehensive. Midwest university. Among other results found in the study, the present article specifically addressed the loneliness dynamics involved with the distance relationships. Four, themes relating to loneliness were found in the data analysis. First, loneliness tends to be acute after seeing the boyfriend, around holidays, when their friends go on dates, on "bad" days, when seeing other happy couples on campus, and during "lull" times. Second, loneliness tends to decrease when students are busy and when doing activities with local friends. Third, coping strategies include calling to talk and having other friends as their support-base. And finally, distance relationships tend to generate "needy" tensions and give the relationship a highly perceived value.

Keywords

Distance relationships, loneliness, qualitative research

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