BBIV- Final

Technology: A Channel Couples Use for Relational Maintenance
Erika Pacheco
Santa Clara University
Running head: TECHNOLOGY AND RELATIONAL MAINTENANCE 1

Abstract
This study investigates the degree to which couples use computer-mediated
communication as a means of relational maintenance. Specifically, the present study compares
the relational maintenance strategy of openness when using technological devices to
communicate with a romantic partner versus face to face communication. Previous findings
suggest that computer-mediated communication facilitates self-disclosure and provides couples
with an opportunity to utilize the relational maintenance strategy of openness more so than in
face-to-face communication. Therefore, we predict that couples will report greater use of
openness messages while maintaining their relationships through computer mediated
communication than in face to face communication. This study extends previous research on the
use of technology to help maintain interpersonal relationships.
TECHNOLOGY AND RELATIONAL MAINTENANCE 2

Technology: A Channel Couples Use for Relational Maintenance
Today’s world is technologically advanced as the internet, cell phones, and computers
have provided us with new ways to communicate with one another. Most people own various
technological devices that they use to communicate on a daily basis. In 2010 it was estimated
that 170 million personal computers would be sold worldwide (Perry & Werner-Wilson, 2011).
Cell phones are also the most commonly used form of communication in social networks
(Hertlein, 2012). In fact, 78% of American adults own cell phones (Perry & Werner-Wilson,
2011). These devices, such as computers and cell phones, are very commonly used as a means of
expression and constant communication. With the emergence of these technologies, it is
unsurprising that more and more of our communication happens through a screen. The type of
communication I am talking about refers to the term computer-mediated communication (CMC).
CMC means using the Internet, e-mail, laptops and cell phones to communicate. Through CMC
“people have new strategies to develop and maintain relationships” (Sidelinger, Ayash &
Tribbles, 2008, p. 342). CMC offers a form of communication where individuals find themselves
able to express things more easily than in face- to- face situations (Sidelinger et al., 2008). CMC
then acts as a channel of communication to help maintain interpersonal relationships. I’m
interested in knowing how couples try to maintain their relationships through technology. In this
paper, I will first define relational maintenance, then evaluate computer-mediated
communication, and lastly, explore how couples use technology to maintain their relationship.
Relational Maintenance
Every interpersonal relationship needs to be nurtured for “once relational definitions are
established, they must be maintained...or else they deteriorate” (Stafford & Canary, 1991, p.

220). As a matter of fact, more effort goes into maintaining relationships than in developing
them (Stafford & Canary, 1991). Stafford and Canary (1991) provide some insight as to why so
much energy goes into maintaining relationships; they reason that people desire to maintain
relationships due to increased investments and interdependence in a relationship. In other words,
as one devotes more time and energy in a relationship, the need to sustain the relationship
becomes vital. Therefore, people adopt certain behaviors and strategies in order to keep their
relationships going. There are several definitions of relational maintenance. Ayres (1983) and
Shea & Pearson (1986) describe relational maintenance as an effort to keep a certain level of
intimacy in the relationship. Dindia (1989) defines relational maintenance as seeking ways to
sustain satisfaction in a relationship (Stafford & Canary, 1991). According to Stafford and
Canary (1991), relational maintenance behavior involves “efforts expended to maintain the
nature of the relationship to the actor’s satisfaction” (p.220). To summarize, relational
maintenance means making an effort to keep a certain level of intimacy and satisfaction of what
one desires in a relationship.
Relational maintenance consists of strategies used to help maintain a relationship. In an
analysis of maintenance strategies amongst romantic partners, Stafford and Canary (1991)
identified 5 factors: positivity, assurances, openness, sharing tasks, and social networks. The
positivity strategy involves cheerful interactions and optimistic attitudes. Doing favors and
showing affection also fall into the positivity category. When utilizing the strategy of assurances,
partners seek to support and comfort each other in the relationship; they express and assure one
another on the importance of the relationship. The relational maintenance strategy of openness
refers to having direct discussions with your partner and listening to one another. Sharing

personal thoughts and feelings (self-disclosing information), giving and receiving advice,
addressing problems and conflict, and listening without judgment are all behaviors that
exemplify the strategy of openness. The maintenance strategy of sharing tasks, means sharing the
responsibilities or chores in a relationship. Lastly, the strategy of social networks involves
reaching out to friends and family for support and help (Canary, Stafford, Hause, & Wallace,
1993). When looking at relational maintenance strategies amongst various interpersonal
relationships, an additional 5 strategies were identified. These included: joint activities, cards/
letters/calls, avoidance, anti-social and humor (Canary et al., 1993). For the purpose of this study,
I will focus on the strategies identified by Stafford and Canary (1991) in romantic relationships.
Specifically, I will focus on the maintenance strategy of openness.
Computer Mediated Communication
The 21st century is an age of technology, and as a result, many of our interpersonal
relationships are mediated through a screen, or computer mediated communication (CMC). CMC
includes, but is not limited to: IM, e-mail, text, and social networks. Houser, Fleuriet & Estrada
(2012) support that the frequent use and access of CMC has led many to use CMC as a way to
develop and maintain relationships.

Valkenburg and Peter (2009) found that online communication, specifically instant
messaging (IM), was used by adolescents as a way to maintain friendships. Adolescents were
more likely to share intimate information online, and those who disclosed more online with
friends developed higher quality friendships. Valkenburg and Peter (2009) state “both survey and
experimental CMC research has demonstrated that online communication enhances intimate

online self-disclosure” (p. 92). In this way, computer mediated communication acts as a channel
for relational maintenance as self-disclosure falls under the strategy of openness.
This information is relevant to the current study as it emphasizes how online communication
allows us to disclose personal information that we may feel uncomfortable sharing in
person.
E-mail offers individuals another avenue to maintain their relationships. Stafford, Kline,
and Dimmick (1999) found that 61% of individuals in their sample used e-mail to sustain
interpersonal relationships. E-mail was used to send and receive personal messages, share ideas
and opinions, and to keep in touch with friends and family. The type of information shared
relates back to the relational maintenance strategies of openness and positivity (Stafford et al.,
1999).
Computer mediated communication becomes a channel to utilize certain relational
maintenance strategies. Houser et al. (2012) found that “the maintenance strategy of positivity is
communicated most by those who use e-mail and social networking sites to maintain their
relationships. Openness, on the other hand, is more widely communicated by individuals in their
relationships through IM and text messaging. Those using network strategies, not surprisingly,
use social networks to maintain relationships.” It is apparent that CMC offers individuals various
opportunities to maintain relationships. I would now like to specifically look at how couples use
technology to communicate and maintain their relationships.
Technology Use in Romantic Relationships
CMC provides couples with new ways to share information with their partner. Many are
skeptical of the use of CMC in relationships; however, couple relationships do benefit from

CMC. Research supports that CMC aids in relational maintenance. Coyne, Stockdale, Busby,
Iverson and Grant (2011) found that there is a high amount of media used as forms of
communication in romantic relationships with cell phones being used most often. The most
common reason to use media as a form of communication was to express affection. Expressing
affection is a behavior of the maintenance strategy of positivity. Communication through
technology also facilitates disclosure within couple relationships. Hertlein (2012) describes
online users as less shy when sharing information through a computer than in person. Sidelinger,
Ayash, Godorhazy & Tibbles (2008) support this idea of communicating more freely online:
“During face-to face interactions, openness often accounts for neutral or negative content about
the relationship. Communication online may dampen the negative aspects of the openness factor.
Partners may have to compensate for the lack of nonverbal cues that are not present during
online communication and become more open with their verbal communication” (p.351).
Computer mediated communication provides couples with a way to express personal thoughts
and information that they would be less likely to exchange face to face. This online self-
disclosure contributes to feelings of closeness and intimacy in romantic relationships. Indeed,
romantic partners utilize the maintenance strategy of openness through online communication.
Interestingly, one study found that “one-fourth of romantic couples used technology to
discuss serious issues, with close to 10% using it for expressing apologies or bringing up
confrontational subjects” (Perry & Werner-Wilson, 2011). Perry & Werner- Wilson (2011) found
CMC was often used by individuals when dealing with problem solving. In fact, CMC was some
individuals preferred method of communication for the following reasons: 1) CMC allows for
more time for reflection, more time to cool off, and less interruption. 2) CMC allows partners to

openly communicate with one another and say what they want. This interaction demonstrates the
relational maintenance strategy of openness. Openness refers to having direct discussion with
your partner, listening, and addressing problems and conflict. Each of these behaviors is
practiced through computer-mediated communication.
H1: Romantic couples report greater use of openness messages while maintaining their
relationships through computer mediated communication than in face to face communication.
Method
The best method to test this hypothesis would be to use a survey as I am just trying to
gain descriptive information about couples’ use of openness messages and the context with
which they share these messages. I am looking to compare the frequency which couples send
messages of openness through computer-mediated communication versus the frequency which
couples communicate messages of openness face to face. A survey is relevant to my hypothesis
in that it will provide data to see if there is a significant relationship between the use of openness
messages and the context of communication. Since I am only looking to establish a relationship,
and not determine cause and effect, conducting a survey makes the most sense. The type of
survey I would like to use is an online questionnaire as it is affordable, can reach a large number
of participants, and only requires participants to answer a number of questions. I would like to
use a questionnaire instead of an interview because of ease of convenience for participants.
Participants in this study could take this survey online at whatever time they find most suited for
their schedule. In addition, an online questionnaire only requires the click of a few buttons. From
my research, many may find it easier and more comfortable to disclose personal information
with a screen in front of them. An online questionnaire could increase the response rate of

participants, providing me with more data. For these reasons, I find using the tool of a
questionnaire to be most useful and relevant to my hypothesis. This study will be cross-sectional
as it is a study designed to look at a variable at a single point in time. I am interested in knowing
the relationship between the use of openness messages and the context with which they are
shared in today’s world, not how this may change over time.
Participants/ Procedure
The aim of this study is to sample people in romantic relationships. The participants
would be sampled from Santa Clara University as I would be able to come into direct contact
with the University, discuss the study I am interested in pursuing, and gain permission to conduct
this study. I would ask Santa Clara for permission to send students an electronic survey (via
email). As an incentive for participants to take the study, I would offer them a chance to win a
gift card or prize of some sort. The questionnaire would be limited to students in a romantic
relationships. The ideal number of participants would be 384 since I would like to have a 95%
confidence level and confidence interval of 5. Students will be sent an email giving them an
overview of the study and provided a link that will take them to the online questionnaire if they
choose to participate. They will first read a briefing of the study that will also tell participants
that they have the right to stop taking the survey at any time. Participants will then start the
online questionnaire. The questionnaire will begin with demographic questions on participants’
age, gender, year in school, and length of romantic relationship. Participants will then view and
answer questions on relational maintenance behaviors, and how they communicate these
strategies with their partner.

Measures
To measure the variable of openness, I will use the scale by Stafford, Dainton and Haas
(2000) which assesses the strategic relational maintenance behaviors developed by Canary and
Stafford (1992). All factors in the scale have a Cronbach’s Alpha of .70 or greater (advice,
alpha=.70; assurances, alpha= .92; conflict management, alpha= .81; openness, alpha=.87;
positivity, alpha= .76; shared tasks, alpha= .83; and social networks, alpha= .72). This
information demonstrates that the factors have high internal reliability, or consistency. The
questionnaire will use a Likert-type scale in which participants will answer questions on a scale
of 1 (strongly disagree) and 7 (strongly agree). Examples of questions to assess openness include
“I simply tell my partner how I feel about the relationship” and “I disclose what I need or want
from the relationship.” In order to operationalize the second variable, a question will be asked
about the context in which participants maintain their relationship -- through computer mediated
communication or face to face.
Analysis
To test my hypothesis, I will need to use a T-test. This method is most appropriate since a
T-test can be used to measure a nominal independent variable that has 2 levels and an interval
dependent variable. My hypothesis states “Romantic couples report greater use of openness
messages while maintaining their relationships through computer mediated communication than
in face to face communication.” My nominal, independent variable is the context of
communication-- computer-mediated communication or face-to-face communication. The
interval dependent variable is the use of openness messages. The hypothesis will be tested using

a 95% confidence level and an alpha of .05. If the calculated p- value is less than alpha, then the
relationship is significant and my hypothesis will be supported.
Limitations
One threat to internal reliability in this study is the fact that a survey relies on the self-
report of individuals. Individuals may not be completely honest or thoughtful in taking a survey.
Often time participants answer questions with little thought in an effort to just complete the
survey. This would threaten the accuracy of our data. However, to diminish this threat, the survey
I am providing is short and easy to complete.
One threat to external validity is the restricted generalizability across constructs since I
am only sampling students at Santa Clara University. This sample only includes SCU college
students in romantic relationships. It would be interesting to sample different colleges, and
different age groups to see if the hypothesis holds true and can be generalized to an entire
population.
Conclusion
To conclude, participants will answer an online questionnaire assessing their use of
relational maintenance strategies and the form in which they communicate these messages. The
scale provided by Stafford, Dainton and Haas (2000) will gather data on participants use of
relational maintenance strategies. More specifically, it will provide me with participant report of
the use of openness messages, which is the variable I am interested in looking at. I will compare
the report of openness messages by those who primarily use computer-mediated communication
to maintain their relationship versus those who primarily use face-to-face communication. I
predict that romantic couples will report greater use of openness messages while maintaining

their relationships through computer-mediated communication than in face-to-face
communication.

References
Canary, D. J., & Stafford, L. (1991). Maintenance strategies and romantic relationship type,
gender and relational characteristics. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 8,
217-242. doi: 10.1177/0265407591082004
Canary, D. J., & Stafford, L. (1992). Relational maintenance strategies and equity in
marriage.Communication Monographs, 59(3), 243.
Canary, D. J., Stafford, L., Hause, K. S., & Wallace, L. A. (1993). An inductive analysis of
relational maintenance strategies: Comparisons among lovers, relatives, friends, and
others. Communication Research Reports, 10(1), 5-14.
Coyne, S., Stockdale, L., Busby, D., Iverson, B., & Grant, D. (2011). 'I luv u :)!': A
descriptive study of the media use of individuals in romantic relationships. Family
Relations, 60(2), 150-162. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2010.00639.x
Hertlein, K. M. (2012). Digital dwelling: Technology in couple and family relationships. Family
Relations, 61(3), 374-387. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2012.00702.x
Houser, M. L., Fleuriet, C., & Estrada, D. (2012). The cyber factor: An analysis of relational
maintenance through use of computer-mediated communication. Communication
Research Reports, 29(1), 34-43. doi: 10.1080/08824096.2011.639911
Perry, M. S., & Werner-Wilson, R. J. (2011). Couples and computer-mediated communication: A
closer look at the affordances and use of the channel. Family & Consumer Sciences
Research Journal, 40(2), 120-134. doi:10.1111/j.1552-3934.2011.02099.x

Sidelinger, R. J., Ayash, G., & Tibbles, D. (2008). Couples go online: Relational maintenance
behaviors and relational characteristics use in dating relationships. Human
Communication, 11(3), 341-356.
Stafford, L., Kline, S. L., & Dimmick, J. (1999). Home e-mail: Relational maintenance and
gratification opportunities. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 43(4), 659-669.
Stafford, L., Dainton, M., & Haas, S. (2000). Measuring routine and strategic relational
maintenance: Scale revision, sex versus gender roles, and the prediction of relational
characteristics. Communication Monographs 67(3), 306-323
Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2009). The effects of instant messaging on the quality of
adolescents’ existing friendships: A longitudinal study. Journal Of Communication,
59(1), 79-97. doi:10.1111j.1460-2466.2008.01405.x

Appendix A- Background questions
1. Age (in years) ________
2. Gender: Male_______ Female_______
3. Year in School: Freshman_______ Sophomore_______ Junior_______ Senior_______
Fifth year_______
4. Length of relationship: Less than 1 month _______ 1-6 months _______
6 months-1 year_______ 1-2 years_______ 2-3 years_______
3-4 years_______ 5+ years_______
Appendix B
Please indicate which best describes your relationship:
I primarily use Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) to communicate with my
partner:_______
*CMC includes text messages, phone calls, IM, Email
I primarily use Face to Face Communication to communicate with my partner: _______

Appendix C- Relational Maintenance Strategies Measure provided by Stafford, Daiton & Haas
Participants will answer the following questions on a likert-type scale with 1 being strongly
disagree and 7 being strongly agree.

Sample Scale:
Note: items should be presented randomly to participants.
Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements about your interactions
with your partner.
Strongly
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
I say “I
love you”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I show my
love for my
partner
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I imply that
our
relationship
has a future
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I tell my
partner
how much
s/he means
to me
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I talk about
our plans
for the
future
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I stress my
commitme
nt to him/
her
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I show
him/her
how much
s/he means
to me
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I talk about
future
events (e.g.
having
children,
anniversari
es,
retirement)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Strongly
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
I encourage
my partner
to share
his/her
feelings
with me
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I simply
tell my
partner
how I feel
about the
relationship
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I talk about
my fears
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I disclose
what I need
or want
from the
relationship
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I like to
have
periodic
talks about
our
relationship
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I am open
about my
feelings
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I talk about
where we
stand
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I apologize
when I am
wrong
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I cooperate
in how I
handle
disagreeme
nts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I listen to
my partner
and try not
to judge
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Strongly
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
I am
understandi
ng
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I am
patient and
forgiving
with my
partner
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I help
equally
with the
tasks that
need to be
done
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I offer to
do things
that aren’t
my
responsibili
ty
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I do my
fair share
of the work
we have to
do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I perform
my
household
responsibili
ties
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I do not
shirk my
duties
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I act
cheerful
and
positive
around
him/her
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I try to be
upbeat
when we
are
together
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Strongly
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
I tell my
partner
what I
think s/he
should do
about her/
his
problems
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I give him/
her my
opinion on
things
going on in
his/her life
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I like to
spend time
with our
same
friends
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
I focus on
common
friends and
affiliations
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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