Excessive Twitter use can have damaging effects on marriages and romantic relationships, a new study suggests.
In his findings published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, University of Missouri doctoral researcher Russell Clayton linked heavy Twitter use with infidelity and breakups. His study followed up on research that showed similar impacts for Facebook, raising questions whether social network use in general is bad for personal relationships.
"Active Twitter use leads to greater amounts of Twitter-related conflict among romantic partners, which in turn leads to infidelity, breakup, and divorce," Clayton wrote in the study, which was based on a survey of 581 adult Twitter users.
Each participant was asked about how often they use the social network and describe the conflicts that arose between their current or former partners as a result of Twitter use. Clayton analyzed their tweets, the conflicts arising from them and the impact it had on their relationships.
Respondents who were more active and spent a longer time on Twitter were more likely to experience Twitter-related conflict with a partner, Clayton wrote.
"Based on the findings from both studies, Twitter and Facebook use can have damaging effects on romantic relationships," Clayton wrote.
"That is, when (social networking) use becomes problematic in one's romantic relationship, risk of negative relationship outcomes may follow."
In his findings published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, University of Missouri doctoral researcher Russell Clayton linked heavy Twitter use with infidelity and breakups. His study followed up on research that showed similar impacts for Facebook, raising questions whether social network use in general is bad for personal relationships.
"Active Twitter use leads to greater amounts of Twitter-related conflict among romantic partners, which in turn leads to infidelity, breakup, and divorce," Clayton wrote in the study, which was based on a survey of 581 adult Twitter users.
Each participant was asked about how often they use the social network and describe the conflicts that arose between their current or former partners as a result of Twitter use. Clayton analyzed their tweets, the conflicts arising from them and the impact it had on their relationships.
Respondents who were more active and spent a longer time on Twitter were more likely to experience Twitter-related conflict with a partner, Clayton wrote.
"Based on the findings from both studies, Twitter and Facebook use can have damaging effects on romantic relationships," Clayton wrote.
"That is, when (social networking) use becomes problematic in one's romantic relationship, risk of negative relationship outcomes may follow."
