Perceived and reported romantic and sexual outcomes in long-distance and geographically close relationships

Abstract

More and more young people are in long-distance relationships (LDRs). However, little is known about perceived or reported outcomes of LDRs compared to geographically close relationships (GCRs). This investigation compared the relationship outcomes (Study 1) and perceived outcomes (Study 2) of individuals in LDRs and GCRs. In Study 1, young adults in LDRs (n=232) and GCRs (n=263) completed an online survey assessing relationship and sexual outcomes (romantic satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, extradyadic sexual activity); individuals in LDRs also rated the positive and negative impacts of being in an LDR. Individuals in LDRs and GCRs had similar satisfaction, a similar likelihood of engaging in extradyadic sexual activity, and perceived the impact of being in an LDR as more positive than negative. In Study 2, young adults (N=626) recruited online were randomly assigned to rate the same outcomes for a hypothetical couple in an LDR or GCR. Observers perceived being in an LDR as having a more negative than positive impact on the sexual relationship. However, satisfaction ratings for both LDRs and GCRs were high although individuals in LDRs were perceived as having significantly lower satisfaction than reported in Study 1. Few gender differences emerged, and perceptions were not affected by participants' past experience being in an LDR. Overall, the results suggest that outcomes for LDRs and GCRs are similar and that people have generally positive perceptions of LDRs. These results have positive implications for young adults, given the popularity of LDRs in this age group.