A Qualitative Analysis of Loneliness Dynamics Involved with College Long-Distance Relationships.
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 ********** Long distance relationships among college age students have become a more common occurrence than they have been in previous decades (Sahlstein, 2004). With the advances in technology, geographical distances between couples no longer necessitate ending of a relationship. However, this physical separation often does pose unique obstacles for a couple to overcome. One third of students during their college experience will be involved in some form of a long distance relationship, as defined by a 50 mile radius (McKinnels, 1994). While students most often experience long distance relationships as a result of choosing different colleges, commuter couples also sometimes experience the challenges of long distance relationships due to their differing job locations. According to Rhodes (2002), while long distance relationships between dual-career couples are still a minority, the numbers continue to rise, especially when considering individuals with long commutes to their job locations. Knox, Zusman, Daniels, and Brantley (2002) administered a 25-item questionnaire to over 150 never-married, undergraduate college students who previously had been involved with distance relationships and over 80 students who were involved with such relationships at the time of the study. Results of the survey showed that 20% of those currently involved in distance relationships indicated that the challenges involved made their relationship worse. Further, 20% of those who previously had been involved in distance relationships indicated that the stress of being physically apart was the reason they ended their relationship. Those still involved in a distance relationship indicated that, hypothetically, they would make the same decision again, whereas those who had ended a distance relationship indicated that they likely would not involve themselves with a future one. Although long distance relationships can be comparable to geographically close relationships, the distance often creates an additional set of challenges to overcome. As with any relationship, an apt foundation is necessary for the success and longevity of the couple, but this foundation alone is not sufficient for the continued success of the couple (Le & Agnew, 2001). For some, a strong friendship previous to the romantic relationship creates a foundation before the separation, but continued, meaningful connection is needed to overcome the distance challenges that dating couples most often face when apart for significant periods of time (Arditti & Kaufmann, 2004). Lydon, Pierce, and O'Regan (1997) advocate that a couple in a long distance relationship often shares a feeling of commitment to being committed, and their moral values often may strengthen the bond between the couple. While the couple in a long distance relationship often shares feelings of strong commitment, Sahlstein (2006) believes those feelings are contrasted with a degree of potential uncertainty experienced regarding the future of the relationship. …