menu
Weekly Online Magazine
ISSN 2544-5839
zamknij
Media Review

13.01.2025 Media industry

Social Media and Relationships. Interesting Research from Palestine

KFi

What does love look like in the digital age? Does technology bring people closer or push them apart? In an era where Facebook and Instagram replace dinner table conversations, social media has become a new space for marital relationships. Researchers from An-Najah National University examined how technology can build bonds but also sow uncertainty.

Poczytaj artykuł wydanie polskie w wydaniu polskim

Social Media and Communication in Relationships. Interesting Research from Palestineillustration: Bing AI

Modern marital relationships have undergone a remarkable transformation in the age of social media. Three researchers, Oqab Jabali, Bilal Hamamra, and Fayez Mahamid from An-Najah National University in Nablus, Palestine, explored the impact of social media on communication in relationships. Their findings were published in the journal Nature, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.

“Modern relationships and social media: exploring the digital dynamics of husband–wife interactions” highlights how digital platforms have become an integral part of daily life, influencing communication methods and interactions. The study, conducted among 388 Palestinian couples from the West Bank, sheds new light on the issue.

Got a minute? Watch our #59sec REPORT

Over 60% of respondents live in rural areas, significantly shaping their perception of social media. Couples from these regions exhibit a more optimistic view of technology’s impact on their relationships. Additionally, 40.2% of participants use social media for 2 to 4 hours daily, placing them in the moderate user category.

Social Media Builds Bridges of Understanding


One of the most significant aspects of the study is the analysis of social media’s impact on communication in relationships. The findings show that:

  • 2.72 out of 5 points for improving communication between spouses through social media.
  • 3.16 points for the ability to maintain contact during physical separation.

Despite its moderate impact on communication, platforms like Facebook and Instagram often help build bridges between partners, particularly in young relationships. In practice, this means more frequent interactions and easier access to emotional support, addressing the needs of modern couples.


Challenges of Technological Intimacy


However, not everything looks rosy. The report reveals that social media often becomes a source of tension:

  • 3.73 points for perceived exposure to temptations and relationship threats.
  • 3.34 points for increased jealousy and feelings of insecurity.

Examples include situations where partners monitor each other’s online activities, leading to misunderstandings and tension. In such cases, a lack of open communication can escalate conflict.

Impact of Demographic Factors


An intriguing finding of the study is the difference in social media perceptions based on gender, location, and education level:

  • Women are more likely to view social media as a positive element in relationships.
  • Couples from rural areas have a more optimistic outlook compared to city residents.

The table below shows variations in social media usage depending on the length of the marriage:

Years of Marriage 2–4 Hours Daily 4–6 Hours Daily More than 7 Hours
Less than 5 years 56 36 12
6–10 years 24 32 12
11–15 years 28 16 0
More than 15 years 48 28 12


These data indicate that younger marriages more frequently engage with social media, likely due to greater technological proficiency.

According to social exchange theory (SET), relationships are based on a balance between benefits and costs. In the context of social media, benefits such as greater connectivity and emotional support are weighed against costs like jealousy and privacy disruption. Achieving balance requires conscious management of digital habits and open communication between partners.

* * *

The study “Modern relationships and social media: exploring the digital dynamics of husband–wife interactions” was conducted in April 2023. The authors analyzed data from 388 couples from the West Bank. Respondents represented various demographic groups, including urban and rural residents, couples with varying marital durations, and different education levels. The study methodology relied on a 23-question survey addressing social media use and its impact on aspects of relationships like communication, trust, intimacy, and conflict resolution. The rating scale was based on a five-point Likert scale.

The full study is available at:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-024-04289-3

Share the article:

dodaj na Facebook prześlij przez Messenger dodaj na Twitter dodaj na LinkedIn

COMMERCIAL BREAK
Work In Media

New articles in section Media industry

Algorithmic personalization study. Who and how understands digital media

KFi
Most internet users believe that everyone sees the same content online. Meanwhile, algorithms personalize messages so effectively that a young woman with higher education receives different information than her father. Researchers reveal who truly understands the mechanisms.

Digital media addiction. Why the brain can’t cope

KFi
Digital media can hijack the brain's reward system in ways similar to drugs and alcohol, warned psychiatrist and author Anna Lembke. She emphasized that compulsive use of digital platforms can become a serious addiction. Not just a bad habit or risky behavior.

Women in media 2025. Editorial power knows no equality

KFi
Only 27% of editors-in-chief in the media are women, even though they make up 40% of journalists. In 9 out of 12 countries studied by the Reuters Institute, women in media are less likely to get promoted. It seems that equality in newsrooms is lagging behind broader society. And the gaps go much further.


See articles on a similar topic:

Press Readership in Poland. The Wealthy Read Ten Times More Often

BARD
Wealthy individuals in Poland read newspapers and magazines up to ten times more frequently than the average Pole, according to a report by Polish Readership Research. They mainly read monthly magazines and dedicate about an hour per day to reading. Only 18% of people in this group do not read any press at all.

E-commerce Forecasts in Poland. Trends for 2024 and Beyond

Krzysztof Fiedorek
In 2024, e-commerce in Poland is reaching new heights, with an increasing number of consumers regularly shopping online. The report "E-shopping Habits of Poles 2024," prepared by SAMOSEO analysts, analyzes current trends and forecasts the industry's near future.

Safari Surpasses Opera. A New Shift in the Browser Market in Poland

Krzysztof Fiedorek
In the summer of 2024, a historic event occurred in Poland's browser market. In July and August, Safari surpassed Opera on all devices for the first time. Data from the StatCounter report indicates that Apple's browser maintains a steady market share while Opera is gradually but noticeably losing ground.

Radio Listenership in Poland 2024: Demographics, Trends, and Statistics

Krzysztof Fiedorek
Why do millions of Poles still choose radio? What drives RMF FM's dominance and Eska's surprising results? The latest "Audio Track" report from the National Media Institute reveals listenership data, demographics, and evolving trends. How does the digital revolution affect traditional stations?

More in the section: Media industry

community

Facebook LinkedIn X Twitter TikTok Instagram Threads Youtube Google News Blue Sky Social RSS

Reporterzy.info - online media studies magazine. The world of communication from the inside. Media, journalism, PR and marketing. Data, reports, analyses, advice. History and market, law, photography, job offers.


Work in media

United States
New York • Washington DC • Los Angeles • Chicago • Houston • Phoenix • Philadelphia United Kingdom
London • Birmingham • Manchester • Liverpool • Glasgow • Edinburgh Canada
Toronto • Ottawa • Montreal • Calgary Australia
Sydney • Melbourne • Brisbane • canberra Ireland, New Zealand, India

advertisement

Media Review 24/7





Reporter shopping

Reporter shopping

Affordable laptops, notebooks and netbooks
Affordable laptops, notebooks and netbooks
for writing
Digital SLR and compact cameras
Digital SLR and compact cameras
for photographers
Books and e-books about media
Books and e-books about media
for reading
Video drones and flying cameras
Video drones and flying cameras
for pilots
Gimbals for stabilizing video
Gimbals for stabilizing video
for those on the move
Software and apps for creative work
Software and apps for creative work
for digital creators
More occasions

follow us 👉 on Youtube
Watch more 👇
#59sec REPORT SHORTS
Read books and e-books

Read books and e-books

Okładka Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man
Okładka Media Control. The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda
Media Control. The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda
Okładka The 40-Day Social Media Fast
The 40-Day Social Media Fast
Okładka Social Media Marketing All-in-One For Dummies
Social Media Marketing All-in-One For Dummies
Okładka Mass Communication: Living in a Media World
Mass Communication: Living in a Media World
Okładka Hate, Inc.: Why Today`s Media Makes Us Despise One Another
Hate, Inc.: Why Today`s Media Makes Us Despise One Another
more books and e-books

Reporterzy.info

More about us

Our tools and services

Contact


© Dwornik.pl Bartłomiej Dwornik 2oo1-2o25