Graduation Term
2016
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Psychology
Committee Chair
Susan Sprecher
Committee Member
Marla Reese-Weber
Abstract
No research to date has examined how regulatory focus theory applies to relationships that are maintained long-distance, nor if individuals’ regulatory orientations differ in predicting relationship maintenance efforts between relationships that are geographically-close and those that are long-distance. The current study explores the communication efforts, ideal perceptions, and regulatory behaviors of individuals as a function of their regulatory focus (promotion focus vs. prevention focus) and relationship type (geographically-close vs. long-distance). One hundred eighty participants completed a survey that assessed their relationship type, regulatory focus, and relationship maintenance efforts (i.e., communications, perceptions, and behavior). Overall, it was found that individuals in long-distance relationships, compared to individuals in geographically-close relationships, engage in more frequent communication efforts, more self-idealized perceptions, and less self-regulation behaviors. Regarding regulatory orientations, those with a high degree of promotion focus, compared to those with a low degree of promotion focus, reported more intimate communication, more idealized perceptions of their partners and themselves, and less behavioral regulation of their partners and themselves. Alternatively, those with a high degree of prevention focus, compares to those with a low degree of prevention focus, reported less frequent communication, less partner-idealized perceptions, and more behavioral regulation of their partners and themselves. While regulatory orientations did not differ as a function of relationship type, implications are discussed pertaining to how the rapid evolution of communication technology has changed the way in which individuals maintain their relationship.
Access Type
Thesis-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Hampton, Adam James, "To Promote or Prevent When Near or Far: Exploring Regulatory Focus in Geographically-Close and Long-Distance Relationships" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 570.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/570
DOI
http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2016.Hampton.A