Author: Dey, Anindita
Publication Year: 2024
Keywords: effects of facebook,special refence to Guwahati Assam,married couples in the context of relational dialectics
Abstract: This study explores Facebook's effects on married couples in Guwahati, Assam, through Relational Dialectics Theory (RDT). Facebook, a pervasive social networking platform, shapes modern communication and relationship dynamics, offering couples new ways to connect while introducing challenges impacting relationship stability and quality. RDT helps understand the inherent tensions in relationships, particularly in the digital age. This research examines three core dialectical tensions: autonomy vs. connection, openness vs. closedness, and certainty vs. uncertainty, in the context of Facebook use among married couples in Guwahati. Using a mixed-method approach, including qualitative interviews and surveys, this study investigates Facebook's influence on relational dynamics. Findings reveal Facebook can enhance and strain marital relationships. The platform facilitates connection and sharing, helping couples maintain closeness even when physically apart, but it also introduces issues like jealousy, privacy concerns, and unrealistic expectations from idealized representations of others' lives. Facebook allows personal expression and space, yet this freedom can lead to conflicts when one partner perceives that the other's online activities as intrusive or neglectful. Couples struggle to balance their need for individual autonomy and mutual connection, leading to relational strain.
The unpredictable nature of social media interactions and the constant influx of information can stabilize and destabilize relationships. While Facebook can provide security and validation through positive interactions, also introduces uncertainty through ambiguous messages and interactions with unknown individuals. Cultural specificities in Guwahati influence how couples perceive and handle these tensions. Social norms, familial expectations, and local attitudes toward social media significantly shape Facebook's impact on marital relationships. The research underscores the importance of effective communication strategies in managing these dialectical tensions. Couples engaging in open dialogue about Faccbook use and setting mutual boundaries navigate these challenges more successfully.
Overall, this study contributes to understanding the nuanced effects of social media on marital relationships within Relational Dialectics Theory's framework. It highlights the need for couples to develop adaptive strategies to manage the complex interplay
of autonomy, connection, openness, closedness, certainty, and uncertainty in their digital interactions. This research provides valuable insights for counsellors, relationship experts, and individuals seeking to maintain healthy and balanced relationships in the digital age.
Keywords: Facebook, Marital bond, Relational dialectics theory, Social media, Tension
Guide: Chakraborty, Esha and Chanda, Rahul
University: The Assam Royal Global University
Shodh Ganga Link: View Thesis
Category: Social Media
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