Browsing by Subject "käännekohdat"

Long-distance romantic relationships (LDR’s) are under-studied area in research. LDR’s defy precise definition and differ from close-distance relationships (GCR’s) in multiple ways. LDR couples experience longer geographical distance within their relationship and their communication is more restricted. The aim of the study is to understand what meanings do informants attach to distance in their LDR and to understand what kinds of Turning Points (Bolton 1961) do they experience in the course of their relationships. This study follows the social constructionist research tradition and is qualitative in its methods. The interviews were conducted via video calls and they were thematic in nature. There were 9 informants all of whom where female university students or graduates from Finland. The data was analyzed inductively with qualitative content analysis. Results show that distance is experienced as opposite to being together in LDR’s. Informants described distance as negative and non-ideal in its meaning while being together was perceived positive and ideal. Even when distance was perceived negatively, it was described to be worth achieving personal goals. Distance was found to set challenges to relationship and it was seen to cause notable amounts of time alone. Meanings associated to distance were: challenges posed by geographical distance, attitude, comparison, mood, opinions of surrounding people and possibility to keep in touch. Following Turning Points were derived from the data: first meeting with family and friends, trips made together and moving in together, changes at work or school life, health problems and changes in technology-mediated communication. Multiple meanings were attached to the Turning Points. Results support previous research in many ways, but also bring further understanding about LDR’s. That being together was viewed so positively can be explained with LDR couples’ tendency to idealize moments spent together. Importance of personal goals may be related to LDR couples’ personal ambitious traits. Certain Turning Points are different in meaning in LDR’s and GCR’s. More research is needed to explain the idealization process related to being together in LDR’s, to understand LDR couples’ personal ambitions, and to obtain more holistic picture of Turning Points in LDR’s.