Manuel Faggiano, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy, Ariela Francesca Pagani, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Italy; Dominik Schoebi, University of Fribourg, Switzerland; Silvia Donato, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
published in the Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Love and Relationship Studies, 6-8 March, 2026
You can see the full video recording of this presentation at the YouTube channel of the International Institute of Love Studies
Introduction
In the modern era of virtual social realities, Social Network Sites (SNS) have become central channels through which romantic partners express affection, manage couple visibility, and experience intimacy (Ellison & Boyd, 2013).
Existing research on the influence of these social media platforms on romantic relationships has focused on two opposite or double-edged effects (Coundouris et al., 2021; Rus & Tiemensma, 2017). On the one hand, SNS can elicit behaviors detrimental to romantic relationships, such as technoference (McDaniel & Coyne, 2016) and online surveillance (Tokunaga, 2016). On the other hand, SNS may facilitate relationship-enhancing behaviors, such as relational maintenance, online dyadic display, and mediated self-disclosure (Boyle & O’Sullivan, 2016; Lucchesi & Lobinger, 2024; Northrup & Smith, 2016).
However, within this double-edged framework, previous reviews report inconsistent findings, often attributed to methodological fragmentation across constructs, measures, and analytic practices. Accordingly, this study aims to move from fragmented evidence toward a more integrated understanding of SNS-related processes in romantic relationships. To this end, we provide a systematic methodological review of empirical research, theoretical perspectives, and findings on the role of SNS in romantic relationship dynamics. Specifically, the study integrates theoretical approaches and synthesizes SNS-related behaviors into thematic behavioral clusters. It also assesses measurement practices and analytic rigor in this research area.
Methodology and Methods
We conducted a systematic methodological review across major psychological and sociological databases. Following PRISMA guidelines (i.e., a standardized protocol for study identification and screening in scientific reviews; Page et al., 2021), records were screened and peer-reviewed studies were selected as the units of analysis. Eligible studies focused on the association between the use of SNS, including Instant Messaging (e.g., WhatsApp) applications, and couples’ relational outcomes. Studies based exclusively on hypothetical scenarios or retrospective evaluations of past relationships were excluded to reduce recall and scenario biases. Moreover, given the focus on normative adult romantic relationships, studies exclusively on adolescent samples, clinical populations, or abusive partner behaviors (e.g., cyberdating abuse) were excluded. For each included study, methodological features (e.g., theoretical background, samples, designs, and measures) were systematically extracted, narratively synthesized, and organized into thematic clusters of SNS-related behaviors.
Highlights of Results
Included studies (N = 64) were predominantly quantitative and cross-sectional (69%); longitudinal, qualitative, mixed-method, and experimental designs were relatively scarce. Four behavioral clusters were identified, with pro-relationship-focused behaviors being the most represented (k = 24). Studies in this cluster highlight that sharing online couple-related content (i.e., online dyadic display), routinized online expressions of affection (i.e., relational maintenance), and SNS-facilitated self-disclosure were generally associated with higher relationship satisfaction and commitment. However, when constructs were defined more precisely, positive associations weakened and sometimes reversed direction. For instance, excessive dyadic display was associated with lower satisfaction and greater relational uncertainty. Moreover, qualitative studies indicated that online self-disclosure is beneficial when partners seek support for external stressors but may become detrimental when disclosures concern couple-related stress or disagreements. Methodologically, the literature showed recurrent limitations: most studies relied on cross-sectional designs, heterogeneous and largely ad hoc measures, individual-level sampling, Western student samples, and a predominant focus on Facebook as the primary SNS platform.
Discussion and Conclusions
This review suggests that SNS can function as meaningful media for love expression and relationship maintenance, while also highlighting the methodological conditions under which findings become inconsistent. Overall, the review reframes mixed findings as specification issues, identifies key sources of heterogeneity, and offers a pathway for strengthening construct validity and analytic precision. Finally, these findings underscore the need to advance research on SNS in romantic relationships by consolidating current evidence not only conceptually but also methodologically. To derive effective and evidence-based intervention guidelines, future research should prioritize longitudinal corroboration of findings, generalization of results to non-Western contexts, and systematic modeling of dyadic interdependence within couples.
References
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