Facebook and Social Networking Sites Negatively Affect Marriages: Study

Excessive networking on Facebook and other social media channels disturbs martial relations, finds a study.

Socializing and networking on favorite social media sites like Facebook and twitter have become a new trend in recent times. Experts from the Boston University found that heavy usage of Facebook can hamper relations and lead to martial spats. Around 32 percent of social media users think of ditching their partners and ending long-standing courtships.

Their study assessed a link between social media, marriage satisfaction and divorce rates of married couples living across the U.S. Their analysis revealed a strong link between social media use and dissatisfaction and disagreements in marriages. The two percent increase in divorce rates between 2008 and 2010 was related to Facebook use by married individuals from different socio-economic backgrounds. During the same period, the number of people using social media sites increased in almost 43 states and Facebooking also surged by 20 percent. However, this is not a cause-and-effect relation.

Researchers from the University of Texas, Austin, surveyed a group of 1,160 participants aged between 18 and 39 to note how happy they were in their marriages and if they ever had sexual relations outside marriage.

Nearly 16 percent of the surveyed participants who did not use social media sites were contemplating a divorce or separation. The figure doubled for those who were regular social media users.

"The study looked at data to understand human behavior as it is affected by communication technology, especially technologies that are mobile-based," said James E. Katz, study author and professor of Emerging Media Studies at the College of Communication, in a news release.

 "We believe being aware of this situation will empower Facebook users to better understand the implications of their activities and then allow them to make much more informed decisions," he adds.

Past studies hold that Facebook is an easy avenue for people to stray and cheat on their spouses. The current experiment suggests discontentment in marriages and relations makes couples turn to social media for emotional and moral support. This can further trigger differences and mistrust in partners inducing them to divorce.

"The apparent association between the use of Facebook and other social networking sites and divorce and marital unhappiness in the United States raises troubling questions not only about how we use these tools, but how their use affects marriage. The institution of marriage, already under siege in many quarters, seems to be facing yet further assault from people's growing enthrallment with social media," Katz said.

More information is available online in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.