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How the internet and social media affect and shapes romantic relationships?

Year 2024, Volume: 2 Issue: 4, 383 - 410, 01.12.2024

Abstract

İNTERNET VE SOSYAL MEDYA ROMANTİK İLİŞKİLERİ NASIL ETKİLER VE ŞEKİLLENDİRİR
ÖZET
Çalışmada sosyal medyanın romantik ilişkilere olan etkileri incelenmiştir. Bu bakış açısından hareketle bu çalışmanın amacı internet ve sosyal medyanın etkilerinin ne olduğunu, romantik ilişkileri nasıl etkilediğini ve bu ilişkileri nasıl şekillendirdiğini belirlemektir. Araştırma nitel boyutta yürütülmüştür. İstanbul'da ikamet eden ve çeşitli sosyal medya kanalları aracılığıyla romantik ilişki yaşayan 35 kadın ve 25 erkek olmak üzere toplam 60 kişi araştırmaya katılmıştır. Katılımcılara uzman görüşleri alınarak geliştirilen 2 bölümden oluşan bir bilgi toplama aracı uygulanmıştır. Bilgi toplama aracının ilk bölümünde 14 görüşme sorusu yer almıştır. İkinci bölümünde ise 5 sorudan oluşan katılımcı tanıma soruları yer almıştır. Verilerin analizinde içerik analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın bulgularına göre; 9 tema, 17 kategori ve 58 koda ulaşılmıştır. Ancak bireylerin etkili sosyal ağlar olarak sosyal medya kanallarından en çok instagram, facebook, twitter ve diğer medya araçlarını kullandıkları görülmektedir. Bireyler romantik ilişkinin yeni yönünü sosyal medya platformlarında deneyimlemekte ve bu yönü sosyal medyada tanıştıkları kişilerle ilişki kurarak ya da ilişkilerini koşullara göre yöneterek belirledikleri görülmektedir. Bu anlamda sanal ilişkiler romantik ilişkilerin yeni yüzü olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Sosyal medya iletişiminin bireyler için parmaklarının ucunda bir davranış alışkanlığına dönüştüğü görülmektedir. Bireylerin romantik ilişkilerinde karşı cinsten öncelikli beklentileri; partnerinin medya ilişkilerini yönetebilme becerisi, partnerinin insani özellikleri ve partnerinin içsel-ruhsal özellikleridir. Bu anlamda bireylerin romantik ilişkilerinde fiziksel beklentilerine çok fazla önem vermedikleri, karşı cinsin iç güzelliğine daha çok önem verdikleri görülmüştür. Bireylerin sosyal medya kanallarında tanıştıkları kişilerle sosyal medyayı daha çok araç olarak kullandıkları, fiziksel alanı bir hedef olarak değerlendirerek romantik ilişkilerini fiziksel alana taşıdıkları görülmüştür. Bireyler sosyal medya üzerinden geliştirdikleri romantik ilişki sürecinden etkilenmektedir ve sanal ilişkiyle başlayan sürecin gerçek hayatla bütünleştiği görülmüştür. Bu anlamda sanal ortam dışındaki ilişkilerle sanal ortamdaki ilişkilerin artık bireylerin romantik ilişki sürecinde iç içe geçtiği belirlenmiştir. Sosyal medyanın romantik ilişkileri etkilediği gözlemlenmiştir. Ne yazık ki sosyal medyanın romantik ilişkileri önemli ölçüde olumsuz etkilediği belirlenmiştir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Sosyal Medya, İnternet, Etkiler, Romantik İlişkiler, Etkileme

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was not received for the article. The author(s) declares that his work is not subject to ethics committee approval.

Supporting Institution

Mylife Psikolojik Danışmanlık ve Koçluk Merkezleri

Project Number

001

Thanks

We would like to thank Mylife Psychological Counseling and Coaching Centers and their psychologists and pedagogues for their contributions.

References

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  • Arslan, E., & Arı, R. (2008). Adaptation, reliability, and validity study of Erikson’s psychosocial development stages scale to Turkish. Selçuk University Social Sciences Institute Journal, 19, 53-60.
  • Aslan, M. G. (2013). On the ‘newness’ of new media. In 1st National New Media Congress, 7-8 May 2013. İzmit- KOUIF and Alternative Informatics Association (pp. 102–110).
  • Atak, H., & Taştan, N. (2012). Romantic relationships and love. Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 4(4), 520-546.
  • Aymaz, G. (2018). An introduction to the social history of communication tools. Global Media Journal TR Edition, 8(16), 124–139.
  • Aziz, A. (2013). Introduction to communication (5th ed.). Hiperlink Publications.
  • Baldini, M. (2000). History of communication (G. Batis, Translator). Avciol Printing House.
  • Baltaş, Z., & Baltaş, A. (2000). Stress and ways of coping. Remzi Bookstore.
  • Baran, A. (1997). Sociology of communication. Afsaroglu Press.
  • Barbier, A., & Lawenir, C. B. (2001). Media history from Diderot to the Internet (K. Eksen, Translator). Okuyan Us.
  • Burger, J. M. (2006). Personality (I. D. Erguvan Sarioglu, Translator). Kaknüs.
  • Can, A. (2020). Typography as an element of effective communication in internet advertisements [Master's thesis, İnönü University, Malatya]. National Thesis Center.
  • Can, F., & Hovardaoglu, S. (2015). Social network effects on romantic relationships. Object, 3(5), 43-65.
  • Childe, G. (1978). The self-creating human (F. Ofluoglu, Translator). Existence.
  • Çamdereli, M. (2004). Public relations with main lines. Salyangoz Publications.
  • Collins, W. A. (2003). More than myth: The developmental significance of romantic relationships during adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 13(1), 1-24.
  • Demiray, U. (2006). General communication. Baran Ofset.
  • Demireller, Ö. (1999). The art of teaching from planning to evaluation. Pegem Academy Publishing.
  • Dur, B. (2015). Turkish visual communication design and its links with cultural values. International Journal of Social Research, 443–453.
  • Durak, H., & Seferoglu, S. S. (2016). Investigation of social media literacy and social network usage patterns in Türkiye. Journal of International Social Research, 9(46).
  • Düvenci, A. (2012). Investigation of social media effects on internet usage of network generation with social deviance approach [Doctoral dissertation, Marmara University, Istanbul]. National Thesis Center.
  • Du, H., Li, X., Chi, P., Zhao, J., & Zhao, G. (2014). Relational self-esteem, psychological well-being, and social support in children affected by HIV. Journal of Health Psychology, 20(12), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105313517276
  • Ezer, M., & Kıral, E. (2018). Development of information society in Türkiye: An application on personal internet use for communicative purposes. Çukurova University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 27(1), 207-222.
  • Fox, J., & Warber, K. M. (2013). Social networking sites in romantic relationships: The impact of Facebook on partner intimacy. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 16(1), 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0080
  • Güler, M. (1990). Job satisfaction of industrial enterprises and effects of depression, anxiety, and some other variables [Doctoral dissertation, Hacettepe University, Ankara]. National Thesis Center.
  • Gürses, I., & Kılavuz, M. A. (2011). The importance of intergenerational religious education and communication in terms of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development periods. Uludağ University Journal of Theology Faculty, 20(2), 153-166.
  • Greenfield, D. M. (2014). Reconnecting: Relationships in the digital age. New Harbinger Publications.
  • Gottman, J. M. (2011). The relationship cure: A 5-step guide to strengthening your marriage, family, and friendships. Crown Publishing Group.
  • Hisli Şahin, N., & Yaka, A. I. (2010). An examination of the inventory of experiences in close relationships (YİYE I) in the context of self-perception, negative automatic thoughts, and psychopathological symptoms. Turkish Psychology Articles, 13(26), 64-76.
  • Hou, J., Ndasauka, Y., Jiang, Y., Ye, Z., Wang, Y., Yang, L., & Zhang, X. (2017). Excessive use of WeChat, social interaction, and locus of control among college students in China. PLOS One, 12(8), e0183633. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183633
  • Ignatow, G., & Robinson, L. (2017). Pierre Bourdieu: Theorizing the digital. Information, Communication & Society, 20(7), 950–966. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2017.1301519
  • Kılıç, A. (2020). Investigation of the relationship between young adults' social media addiction, social media usage purposes, and romantic relationship satisfaction [master's thesis, Biruni University, Istanbul]. National Thesis Center.
  • Parlak, A., & Balik, H. H. (2005). Internet and its development in Türkiye (Graduation project). Firat University Faculty of Engineering Department of Electrical and Electronics, Elazig.
  • Primac, B. A., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Whaite, E., Lin, L., Rosen, D., ... & Colditz, J. (2017). Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the U.S. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.01.010
  • Sarac, A., Hamamci, Z., & Gucray, S. (2015). Prediction of romantic relationship satisfaction of university students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 5(43), 69-81.
  • Sayar, K. (2016). Digital society. TRT Academy Refereed Journal, 762–775.
  • Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2014). Attachment bonds in romantic relationships. In P. R. Shaver & M. Mikulincer (Eds.), American Psychological Association, 273-290.
  • Snell, W. E. Jr., Schicke, M., & Arbeiter, T. (2002). Chapter 4: The Multidimensional Relationship Questionnaire: Psychological dispositions associated with intimate relations. In W. E. Snell, Jr. (Ed.), New directions in the psychology of intimate relations: Research and theory. Cape Girardeau, MO: Snell Publications.
  • Sullu, Z. (2018). Historical roots of communication and communication tools from oral culture to digital culture. Kastamonu Journal of Communication Research, (1), 119–135.
  • Turkle, S. (2011). Alone together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.
  • Urista, M. A., Dong, Q., & Day, K. D. (2009). Explaining why young adults use MySpace and Facebook through uses and gratifications theory. Human Communication, 12(2), 215-229. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2009.01340.x
  • Weisskirch, R. S., Drouin, M., & Rakel, D. (2017). Relational anxiety and sexting. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(6), 685-693.
  • Yaban, N. (2012). The meeting point of art and visual communication: Ex-libris. Batman University Journal of Life Sciences, 973–984.

How the internet and social media affect and shapes romantic relationships?

Year 2024, Volume: 2 Issue: 4, 383 - 410, 01.12.2024

Abstract

In the study, the effects of social media on romantic relationships were examined. From this point of view, the aim of this study is to determine what the effects of the internet and social media are, how they affect romantic relationships and how they shape these relationships. The research was carried out in a qualitative dimension. A total of 60 people, 35 women and 25 men, residing in Istanbul and having a romantic relationship through various social media channels, participated in the research. An information collection tool consisting of 2 parts, which was developed by taking expert opinions, was applied to the participants. In the first part of the information collection tool, there were 14 interview questions. In the second part, there were participant recognition questions consisting of 5 questions. Content analysis was used in the analysis of the data. According to the findings of the research; 9 themes, 17 categories and 58 codes were reached. However, it is seen that individuals use instagram, facebook, twitter and other media tools most from social media channels as effective social networks. Individuals experience the new aspect of romantic relationship on social media platforms, and it is seen that they determine this aspect by establishing relationships with people they meet on social media or by managing their relationships according to the conditions. In this sense, virtual relationships appear as the new face of romantic relationships. It is seen that social media communication has turned into a habit of behavior for individuals at their fingertips. Individuals' primary expectations of the opposite sex in their romantic relationships; partner's ability to manage media relations, his partner's human characteristics, and his partner's internal-spiritual characteristics. In this sense, it has been observed that individuals do not care much about their physical expectations in romantic relationships, and they care more about the inner beauty of the opposite sex. It has been seen that individuals use social media more as a tool with the people they meet on social media channels, and they carry their romantic relationships to physical space by considering the physical space as a goal. Individuals are affected by the romantic relationship process they develop over social media, and it has been seen that the process that starts with virtual relationship integrates with real life. In this sense, it has been determined that the relationships outside the virtual environment and the relationships in the virtual environment are now intertwined in the romantic relationship process of individuals. Social media has been observed to affect romantic relationships. Unfortunately, it has been determined that social media significantly affects romantic relationships negatively.

Keywords: Social Media, Internet, Affects, Romantic Relationships, Influence

Project Number

001

References

  • Ak, A. (2002). Communication beyond communication and listener desires. Kilad, 29–47.
  • Akçay, H. (2011). Social media usage in the context of uses and gratifications approach: A study on Gümüşhane University. Journal of Communication Theory and Research, (33), 137–16.
  • Alikılıç, O., Alikılıç, I., & Ozer, A. (2019). Digital romance: The role of social media in the romantic relationships of Generation Y. Erciyes Communication Journal, 1, 57-80. (International Communication in the Digital Age Symposium Special Issue).
  • Arslan, E., & Arı, R. (2008). Adaptation, reliability, and validity study of Erikson’s psychosocial development stages scale to Turkish. Selçuk University Social Sciences Institute Journal, 19, 53-60.
  • Aslan, M. G. (2013). On the ‘newness’ of new media. In 1st National New Media Congress, 7-8 May 2013. İzmit- KOUIF and Alternative Informatics Association (pp. 102–110).
  • Atak, H., & Taştan, N. (2012). Romantic relationships and love. Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 4(4), 520-546.
  • Aymaz, G. (2018). An introduction to the social history of communication tools. Global Media Journal TR Edition, 8(16), 124–139.
  • Aziz, A. (2013). Introduction to communication (5th ed.). Hiperlink Publications.
  • Baldini, M. (2000). History of communication (G. Batis, Translator). Avciol Printing House.
  • Baltaş, Z., & Baltaş, A. (2000). Stress and ways of coping. Remzi Bookstore.
  • Baran, A. (1997). Sociology of communication. Afsaroglu Press.
  • Barbier, A., & Lawenir, C. B. (2001). Media history from Diderot to the Internet (K. Eksen, Translator). Okuyan Us.
  • Burger, J. M. (2006). Personality (I. D. Erguvan Sarioglu, Translator). Kaknüs.
  • Can, A. (2020). Typography as an element of effective communication in internet advertisements [Master's thesis, İnönü University, Malatya]. National Thesis Center.
  • Can, F., & Hovardaoglu, S. (2015). Social network effects on romantic relationships. Object, 3(5), 43-65.
  • Childe, G. (1978). The self-creating human (F. Ofluoglu, Translator). Existence.
  • Çamdereli, M. (2004). Public relations with main lines. Salyangoz Publications.
  • Collins, W. A. (2003). More than myth: The developmental significance of romantic relationships during adolescence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 13(1), 1-24.
  • Demiray, U. (2006). General communication. Baran Ofset.
  • Demireller, Ö. (1999). The art of teaching from planning to evaluation. Pegem Academy Publishing.
  • Dur, B. (2015). Turkish visual communication design and its links with cultural values. International Journal of Social Research, 443–453.
  • Durak, H., & Seferoglu, S. S. (2016). Investigation of social media literacy and social network usage patterns in Türkiye. Journal of International Social Research, 9(46).
  • Düvenci, A. (2012). Investigation of social media effects on internet usage of network generation with social deviance approach [Doctoral dissertation, Marmara University, Istanbul]. National Thesis Center.
  • Du, H., Li, X., Chi, P., Zhao, J., & Zhao, G. (2014). Relational self-esteem, psychological well-being, and social support in children affected by HIV. Journal of Health Psychology, 20(12), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105313517276
  • Ezer, M., & Kıral, E. (2018). Development of information society in Türkiye: An application on personal internet use for communicative purposes. Çukurova University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 27(1), 207-222.
  • Fox, J., & Warber, K. M. (2013). Social networking sites in romantic relationships: The impact of Facebook on partner intimacy. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 16(1), 3-7. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0080
  • Güler, M. (1990). Job satisfaction of industrial enterprises and effects of depression, anxiety, and some other variables [Doctoral dissertation, Hacettepe University, Ankara]. National Thesis Center.
  • Gürses, I., & Kılavuz, M. A. (2011). The importance of intergenerational religious education and communication in terms of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development periods. Uludağ University Journal of Theology Faculty, 20(2), 153-166.
  • Greenfield, D. M. (2014). Reconnecting: Relationships in the digital age. New Harbinger Publications.
  • Gottman, J. M. (2011). The relationship cure: A 5-step guide to strengthening your marriage, family, and friendships. Crown Publishing Group.
  • Hisli Şahin, N., & Yaka, A. I. (2010). An examination of the inventory of experiences in close relationships (YİYE I) in the context of self-perception, negative automatic thoughts, and psychopathological symptoms. Turkish Psychology Articles, 13(26), 64-76.
  • Hou, J., Ndasauka, Y., Jiang, Y., Ye, Z., Wang, Y., Yang, L., & Zhang, X. (2017). Excessive use of WeChat, social interaction, and locus of control among college students in China. PLOS One, 12(8), e0183633. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183633
  • Ignatow, G., & Robinson, L. (2017). Pierre Bourdieu: Theorizing the digital. Information, Communication & Society, 20(7), 950–966. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2017.1301519
  • Kılıç, A. (2020). Investigation of the relationship between young adults' social media addiction, social media usage purposes, and romantic relationship satisfaction [master's thesis, Biruni University, Istanbul]. National Thesis Center.
  • Parlak, A., & Balik, H. H. (2005). Internet and its development in Türkiye (Graduation project). Firat University Faculty of Engineering Department of Electrical and Electronics, Elazig.
  • Primac, B. A., Shensa, A., Sidani, J. E., Whaite, E., Lin, L., Rosen, D., ... & Colditz, J. (2017). Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the U.S. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.01.010
  • Sarac, A., Hamamci, Z., & Gucray, S. (2015). Prediction of romantic relationship satisfaction of university students. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 5(43), 69-81.
  • Sayar, K. (2016). Digital society. TRT Academy Refereed Journal, 762–775.
  • Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2014). Attachment bonds in romantic relationships. In P. R. Shaver & M. Mikulincer (Eds.), American Psychological Association, 273-290.
  • Snell, W. E. Jr., Schicke, M., & Arbeiter, T. (2002). Chapter 4: The Multidimensional Relationship Questionnaire: Psychological dispositions associated with intimate relations. In W. E. Snell, Jr. (Ed.), New directions in the psychology of intimate relations: Research and theory. Cape Girardeau, MO: Snell Publications.
  • Sullu, Z. (2018). Historical roots of communication and communication tools from oral culture to digital culture. Kastamonu Journal of Communication Research, (1), 119–135.
  • Turkle, S. (2011). Alone together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.
  • Urista, M. A., Dong, Q., & Day, K. D. (2009). Explaining why young adults use MySpace and Facebook through uses and gratifications theory. Human Communication, 12(2), 215-229. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2009.01340.x
  • Weisskirch, R. S., Drouin, M., & Rakel, D. (2017). Relational anxiety and sexting. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(6), 685-693.
  • Yaban, N. (2012). The meeting point of art and visual communication: Ex-libris. Batman University Journal of Life Sciences, 973–984.
There are 45 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Applied and Developmental Psychology (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Ekrem Çulfa 0000-0001-5030-3980

Ferah Diba Izgı 0009-0003-3048-0391

Furkan Çulfa 0009-0009-7870-1011

Project Number 001
Publication Date December 1, 2024
Submission Date October 16, 2024
Acceptance Date November 25, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2024 Volume: 2 Issue: 4

Cite

APA Çulfa, E., Izgı, F. D., & Çulfa, F. (2024). How the internet and social media affect and shapes romantic relationships?. Kastamonu İnsan Ve Toplum Dergisi, 2(4), 383-410.

Kastamonu Journal of Human and Society - KJHShttps://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/journal-file/29447