How concerns about former or future partners influence virtual possession management: Examining relational curation in the relational dissolution model. Issue 4 (7th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: LeFebvre, Leah E.; Brody, Nicholas; Blackburn, Kate G.
• Is Part Of: Communication research reports. Volume 37:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2020-08-07
• Subjects: Relational Dissolution Model -- relational curation -- virtual possessions -- breakups -- archival management -- relationship memories; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.2
• DOI: 10.1080/08824096.2020.1796617
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-4096

Abstract

ABSTRACT: As relational partners document their romantic relationships in mediated contexts, they must manage virtual relational possessions to determine what should be kept or deleted, particularly following a breakup. Using the Relational Dissolution Model, this study examines keeping and deleting behaviors through the lens of a newly proposed process – relational curation . Collegiate participants ( N = 234) who had experienced a breakup were recruited to complete an online survey. Findings showed that when individuals based their possession decisions on their relationship with their former partner, they were more likely to keep possessions; whereas, when individuals based their possession decisions on their relationship with a potential future partner, they were more likely to delete possessions. By further clarifying the role of former and future relationships in keeping and deleting decisions, the results further delineate the dissolution processes of grave-dressing, relational curation, and resurrection.