Dept. of Communication Science
VU University Amsterdam
Relationship Quality and Compulsive
Internet Use Peter Kerkhof
Dept. Communication Science
Catrin Finkenauer
Dept. Social Psychology
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
2
The majority of laptop users (57%) take their laptop to bed, according to research by telecom provider KPN among 500 users. Always being online is top priority for laptop users, mainly for reading the news and checking e-mail.
A recent press release:
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
3
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
4
Internet Use & Relationships
Main question: Does Internet use affect marital relationships (and vice versa)? The Netherlands: 14.544.400 Internet users
(88.4%)*, online av. 27 hrs. p. month, 3131 page visits**
Internet: closer ties to those not present, weaker ties to those present
Compulsive Internet Use (CIU): averse social effects ‘use of the Internet that creates psychological, social, school, and/or work
difficulties in a person’s life’ (Beard & Wolf, 2001, p. 378)
* http://www.internetworldstats.com/eu/nl.htm ** www.comscore.com
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
5
Compulsive Internet use
Meerkerk (2007): Games, chatting, and sexual Internet use as determinants of CIU
Related to loneliness, social anxiety, preference for online (vs. real life) interactions, depression, neuroticism
Only self reported relationship effects, almost no actual relationships, almost no longitudinal studies
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
6
CIU and Relationship Quality
Possible causal paths: CIU Relationship Quality
Time as a limited resource Running into relationship alternatives Unable to stop even when needed
Relationship Quality CIU Escapism, mood management Looking for relationship alternatives Lower effort for relationship maintenance
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
7
Data VU Panel Marriage & Well-being 199 newlywed couples, first two waves,
both partners, visited at home by interviewers
Measures: Compulsive Internet Use (Meerkerk, 2007) Frequency of Internet Use (days per week,
hours per day for private use) Controls: neuroticism, depression
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
8
Measures
Indicators Relationship Quality Marital Satisfaction (30-item
DAS) Relationship Commitment Relationship specific Loneliness Intimacy & Passion (PRQC, 6
items) Trust in Partner Closeness (Aron circles)
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
9
Data
Communication within relationship Responsiveness Solicitation Smoothness
Analyses: Low vs. high Frequency of Internet Use Actor effects: within partner
correlations + beta’s (controlled for neuroticism & depression) Longitudinal effects (t1-t2)
Cross partner effects (APIM)
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
10
Correlations /beta’s CIU – Relationship Quality (t1, high FIU)
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
11
Correlations /beta’s CIU – Relationship Quality (t1, high FIU)
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
Effects over time (beta’s, controlled for t1 DV) Husbands:
CIU Δ commitment (β=-.25) Δ loneliness (β=.17) Δ marital satisfaction (β=-.28) Δ smoothness (β=-.25) Δ closeness (β=-.24) Solicitation Δ CIU (β=-.20)
Wives: CIU Δ solicitation (β=-.27) Commitment Δ CIU (β=-.20) Passion Δ CIU (β=-.16)
12
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
13
Partner effects (APIM analyses)
ICA 2008
Relationships & Internet Use Department of Communication Science VU University Amsterdam
14
Conclusions
Combining frequent & compulsive Internet use is associated with lower scores on several indicators of relationship quality Only actor effects More among men (CIU more prevalent among men) Different underlying mechanisms /causal path, but
more support for CIU causing lower relationship quality
Replicated among gay men
Next step: Different kinds of Internet use Social sharing of Internet experiences Direct measurement of underlying mechanisms
Top Related