Relationship Quality and Compulsive Internet Use Peter Kerkhof Dept. Communication Science Catrin Finkenauer Dept. Social Psychology

The majority of laptop users (57%) take their laptop to bed, according to research by telecom provider KPN among 500 users. Always being online is top priority for laptop users, mainly for reading the news and checking e-mail. A recent press release:

The majority of laptop users (57%) take their laptop to bed, according to research by telecom provider KPN among 500 users. Always being online is top priority for laptop users, mainly for reading the news and checking e-mail.

Internet Use & Relationships Main question: Does Internet use affect marital relationships (and vice versa)? The Netherlands: 14.544.400 Internet users (88.4%)*, online av. 27 hrs. p. month, 3131 page visits** Internet: closer ties to those not present, weaker ties to those present Compulsive Internet Use (CIU): averse social effects ‘ use of the Internet that creates psychological, social, school, and/or work difficulties in a person’s life’ (Beard & Wolf, 2001, p. 378) * http://www.internetworldstats.com/eu/nl.htm ** www.comscore.com

Main question: Does Internet use affect marital relationships (and vice versa)?

The Netherlands: 14.544.400 Internet users (88.4%)*, online av. 27 hrs. p. month, 3131 page visits**

Internet: closer ties to those not present, weaker ties to those present

Compulsive Internet Use (CIU): averse social effects

‘ use of the Internet that creates psychological, social, school, and/or work difficulties in a person’s life’ (Beard & Wolf, 2001, p. 378)

* http://www.internetworldstats.com/eu/nl.htm ** www.comscore.com

Compulsive Internet use Meerkerk (2007): Games, chatting, and sexual Internet use as determinants of CIU Related to loneliness, social anxiety, preference for online (vs. real life) interactions, depression, neuroticism Only self reported relationship effects, almost no actual relationships, almost no longitudinal studies

Meerkerk (2007): Games, chatting, and sexual Internet use as determinants of CIU

Related to loneliness, social anxiety, preference for online (vs. real life) interactions, depression, neuroticism

Only self reported relationship effects, almost no actual relationships, almost no longitudinal studies

CIU and Relationship Quality Possible causal paths: CIU Relationship Quality Time as a limited resource Running into relationship alternatives Unable to stop even when needed Relationship Quality CIU Escapism, mood management Looking for relationship alternatives Lower effort for relationship maintenance

Possible causal paths:

CIU Relationship Quality

Time as a limited resource

Running into relationship alternatives

Unable to stop even when needed

Relationship Quality CIU

Escapism, mood management

Looking for relationship alternatives

Lower effort for relationship maintenance

Data VU Panel Marriage & Well-being 199 newlywed couples, first two waves, both partners, visited at home by interviewers Measures: Compulsive Internet Use (Meerkerk, 2007) Frequency of Internet Use (days per week, hours per day for private use) Controls: neuroticism, depression

VU Panel Marriage & Well-being

199 newlywed couples, first two waves, both partners, visited at home by interviewers

Measures:

Compulsive Internet Use (Meerkerk, 2007)

Frequency of Internet Use (days per week, hours per day for private use)

Controls: neuroticism, depression

Measures Indicators Relationship Quality Marital Satisfaction (30-item DAS) Relationship Commitment Relationship specific Loneliness Intimacy & Passion (PRQC, 6 items) Trust in Partner Closeness (Aron circles)

Indicators Relationship Quality

Marital Satisfaction (30-item DAS)

Relationship Commitment

Relationship specific Loneliness

Intimacy & Passion (PRQC, 6 items)

Trust in Partner

Closeness (Aron circles)

Data Communication within relationship Responsiveness Solicitation Smoothness Analyses: Low vs. high Frequency of Internet Use Actor effects: within partner correlations + beta’s (controlled for neuroticism & depression) Longitudinal effects ( t 1- t 2) Cross partner effects (APIM)

Communication within relationship

Responsiveness

Solicitation

Smoothness

Analyses:

Low vs. high Frequency of Internet Use

Actor effects: within partner correlations + beta’s (controlled for neuroticism & depression)

Longitudinal effects ( t 1- t 2)

Cross partner effects (APIM)

Correlations /beta’s CIU – Relationship Quality ( t 1, high FIU)

Correlations /beta’s CIU – Relationship Quality ( t 1, high FIU)

Effects over time (beta’s, controlled for t 1 DV) Husbands: CIU  Δ commitment ( β= -.25)  Δ loneliness ( β= .17)  Δ marital satisfaction ( β= -.28)  Δ smoothness ( β= -.25)  Δ closeness ( β= -.24) Solicitation  Δ CIU ( β= -.20) Wives: CIU  Δ solicitation ( β= -.27) Commitment  Δ CIU ( β= -.20) Passion  Δ CIU ( β= -.16)

Husbands:

CIU  Δ commitment ( β= -.25)

 Δ loneliness ( β= .17)

 Δ marital satisfaction ( β= -.28)

 Δ smoothness ( β= -.25)

 Δ closeness ( β= -.24)

Solicitation  Δ CIU ( β= -.20)

Wives:

CIU  Δ solicitation ( β= -.27)

Commitment  Δ CIU ( β= -.20)

Passion  Δ CIU ( β= -.16)

Partner effects (APIM analyses)

Conclusions Combining frequent & compulsive Internet use is associated with lower scores on several indicators of relationship quality Only actor effects More among men (CIU more prevalent among men) Different underlying mechanisms /causal path, but more support for CIU causing lower relationship quality Replicated among gay men Next step: Different kinds of Internet use Social sharing of Internet experiences Direct measurement of underlying mechanisms

Combining frequent & compulsive Internet use is associated with lower scores on several indicators of relationship quality

Only actor effects

More among men (CIU more prevalent among men)

Different underlying mechanisms /causal path, but more support for CIU causing lower relationship quality

Replicated among gay men

Next step:

Different kinds of Internet use

Social sharing of Internet experiences

Direct measurement of underlying mechanisms