LONG-DISTANCE DATING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG COLLEGE …

LONG-DISTANCE DATING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF USING TECHNOLOGY _________________________________________

A Thesis presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School University of Missouri

_________________________________________

In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree

Master of Science __________________________________________

by LONI DANSIE Dr. David Schramm, Thesis Supervisor

MAY 2012

The undersigned, appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, have examined the thesis entitled

LONG-DISTANCE DATING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF USING TECHNOLOGY

Presented by Loni Dansie A candidate for the degree of Masters of Science And hereby certify that in their opinion it is worthy of acceptance.

______________________________________________ Dr. David Schramm

______________________________________________ Dr. Marilyn Coleman

______________________________________________ Dr. Colleen Colaner

DEDICATION A very special thanks to all of my long-distance love affairs, and the insight gleaned from these valued experiences. Little did you know I was taking notes! Also, thanks to my faithful friends who endured long nights in Gentry and other accommodating locations. To Melissa Schotthofer, Colleen Pruett, Youngjin Kang, and all the rest ? you not only left an impression on the seats of Gentry, but also in my heart. And finally to my family, fictive and non-fictive, thank you for your patience and continual support through the ups and downs of graduate school. Your example of hard work and never buckling under the pressures of life pushed me forward when I was ready to quit.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A special thanks to Dr. Schramm for your consistent, positive support and guidance. Oh, and your lifesaving statistics manual! Thanks to your inspiration and financial support, I saw my sample size nearly quadruple over the course of a few days. I can't thank you enough! To Dr. Coleman, thank you for helping me become a better writer, scholar, and individual. It has been a great privilege to work along side you in various capacities, and to learn from you in the classroom. And to Dr. Colaner who added great insight in the early stages of the study. Thank you for your wise foresight and suggested simplification of my proposal, and for being a part of my committee.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...........................................................................ii LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................iv ABSTRACT...........................................................................................v Chapter

1. LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................1 Background and research questions

2. METHODS..................................................................................12 3. ANALYSES AND RESULTS............................................................16

Quantitative findings Qualitative findings 4. DISCUSSION...............................................................................28 Limitations and conclusion REFERENCES......................................................................................32 APPENDICES.......................................................................................38 VITA..................................................................................................45

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