Facebook is good for your social life, but not necessarily in your love life. Excessive use of the social network can do serious-to-irreparable damage to the relationship of some couples, according to a new U.S. study. The study shows that social networks have revolutionized the way people communicate, but also there is another side of the coin, as it can be disastrous for a relationship or a marriage.
Researchers of the University of Missouri and Hawaii, led by Dr. Russell Clayton, made after publication in the journal cyber-psychology, behavioral and social networking «Journal of Cuberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking», approached Facebook users aged 18 to 82 years and asked them to indicate how often they use the social network and to what extent it caused conflict with their current or ex-partner because of their usage of Facebook.
The investigation showed that the higher the use of the social network, the greater the likelihood of friction, quarrels, infidelity, separation and divorce. As Clayton said, the more someone uses Facebook, they are often tempted to secretly monitor electronic (and other) activities / partner's website, which increases the degree of jealousy. Jealousy, in turn, paves the way for the problems in a couple.
Moreover, according to the researchers, frequent Facebook users are more likely to come in contact online with former partners, which facilitates the revival of an earlier love affair and infidelity (emotional or real) towards him / her the current partner.
As Clayton said, this threat is more real for young couples who are not yet close to three years in a relationship. "This shows that Facebook is a potential threat to the relationships that have not fully matured," he said and recommended that the 'fresh' couples do not spend endless hours on social network (and temptations). "Limiting the use of Facebook in reasonably healthy levels, can reduce conflicts especially to young couples, which in turn are getting to know each other," he added.
