Date of Award

2016

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Arts (MA)

Program

Communication

Department

Communication

College

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Faculty Advisor

Beck, Stephenson J.

Description

This study implements Baxter’s (1988) relational dialectic theory to determine how relational dialectics emerge and are managed when people in romantic relationships use social media. Eighteen participants who were in romantic relationships and used social media took part in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the framework analysis method. The participants in this study experienced both internal and external dialectics when sharing information about their relationship on social media and when sharing information about their social media use with their significant other. Revelation-concealment emerged as the dominant dialectic, as participants faced the inherent expectations of transparency with social media. Participants stated that it is important to determine the other person’s comfort level with sharing on social media and how they typically use social media. This study reinforces the need to include both internal and external dialectics in future research on romantic relationships and social media use.

Rights

NDSU Policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28019

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