"Using Facebook Lets Me Know What He is Doing:" Relational Uncertainty, Breakups, and Renewals in On-again/Off-again Relationships. Issue 5 (20th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blight, Michael G.; Ruppel, Erin K.; Jagiello, Kristy
• Is Part Of: Southern communication journal. Volume 84:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 328
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2019-10-20
• Subjects: On-again/off-again relationships -- relational uncertainty -- online/offline uncertainty reducing behaviors -- Facebook; Oral communication -- Periodicals; 302.224205
• DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2019.1641836
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1041-794X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Uncertainty is a central but understudied element of on-again/off-again relationships, in which partners experience at least one renewal after a breakup. The current study investigates uncertainty reducing behaviors both generally and on Facebook. College-aged Facebook users (N = 220) responded to closed-ended measures of relational uncertainty and number of breakups and renewals, and open-ended questions regarding reasons for breakups/renewals and relational uncertainty reduction strategies. Relational uncertainty was higher among participants in an "off" stage and those who reported a higher number of breakups. The most reported behaviors on Facebook were passive (e.g., viewing a partner's profile) and outside of Facebook were active (e.g., asking a mutual friend). These findings offer insight into the role of relational uncertainty in on-again/off-again relationships.