What are the Impacts of Long-Distance Relationships on Interpersonal Communication?
Introduction

Long-distance relationships can essentially go one of two ways: they can make relationships stronger and fortify the bond between people, or they can reveal that distance is too great an obstacle for the relationship to be sustained. One of the major factors in determining which way the long-distance relationship will go is the factor of interpersonal communication and what the two parties expect, need and can deliver. If the distance cannot meet expectations or needs and support delivery, the interpersonal communication variable is likely to be negatively impacted. This paper will explain how it depends completely upon what type of communication is needed by the individuals in the long-distance relationship and what kind of relationship they have had in the past. Distance is unlikely to be the only issue to impact interpersonal communication; however, it is the one that this paper will examine. In doing so, this paper will show how long-distance relationships can both fortify interpersonal communication and undermine it, depending on the people involved, what they expect, need and are capable of delivering to the other person.

Stories and Statistics

With the advent of social media, long-distance relationships have become more possible than ever before. The digital age allows for communication to be instantaneous and for people to connect in the virtual world in a world that is much difference from the real world of face-to-face interaction. In a way, social media interpersonal communication has replaced face-to-face contact for many people. As Dr. Paul Booth at the College of Communication at DePaul University of Chicago has pointed out, “There has been a shift in the way we communicate; rather than face-to-face interaction, we’re tending to prefer mediated communication…We’d rather e-mail than meet; we’d rather text than talk on the phone” (Keller, 2013, p. ). However, for some social media interaction is only a weak form of interpersonal communication (Keller, 2013). They prefer face-to-face intimate contact. They want the distance to be diminished. They look forward to the day when they are no longer separated—but until then they try to keep up the communication as best they can using digital devices and mobile phones.

It is not uncommon for this situation to arise, especially for young people. It is estimated that nearly 50% of college students who leave home for school will try to maintain a long-distance relationship while at college (Maquire & Kinney, 2010). How the individuals in the long-distance relationship respond to the challenges of being apart will determine the extent to which their interpersonal communication suffers or grows over time.

Instances Where Long-Distance Relationships Fortify Interpersonal Communication

Instances where long-distance relationships fortify interpersonal communication are those wherein the individuals involved see the use of technology as a way to enhance their communication abilities and to stay united even while apart. It also depends upon the bond and the level of commitment that the people share (Farrell et al., 2015). As Farrell et al. (2015) point out, partners’ humility, “as well as their levels of commitment to the relationships, relationship satisfaction, and forgiveness of their partners” are all factors that will impact the outcomes of the relationship and, needless to say, the extent to which interpersonal communication is fortified (p. 14).

Etcheverry and Le (2005) have also shown that commitment is a big factor in determining how well partners in a long-distance relationship will focus on interpersonal communication. One of the big aspects of...…being thought about, that they are missed. It shows that the communication is working and the connection is being maintained. When the distance begins to grow heavy, the commitment can falter. The two can begin to wonder whether there is any real point to maintaining the relationship. Interpersonal communication will all but stop in these types of situations because there is no trust or vision that the two are even on the same page.

Conclusion

Long-distance relationships do not have to mean that interpersonal communication is going to end. If anything, the availability of digital and mobile technology has made it easier than ever before in history to maintain strong interpersonal communications with significant others in long-distance relationships. In fact, as Maquire and Kinney (2010) show, many people today would prefer to feel as though they were in a long-distance relationship as they prefer using social media and digital tech to communicate with friends, family and loved ones instead of seeing them face-to-face. This discovery shows that interpersonal communication does not have to be threatened by distance. However, in order for long-distance relationships to work and to not undermine interpersonal communication, the partners involved must be mature about their relationship and realistic about what the future holds. If they are aligned and mentally connected, they will recognize the emotional needs of the other and be willing and able to meet those needs by sending the extra email, texting the extra message, taking the time for a phone call, or liking a post on social media. It is really all about making a commitment to be there for the other person in the ways that person needs. Distance does not have to be an obstacle to that.