Long-distance Relationships Research Articles

The Growth Effects of El Niño and La Niña: Local Weather Conditions Matter

This paper contributes to the climate-economy literature by analysing the role of weather patterns in influencing the transmission of global climate cycles to economic growth. More specifically, we focus on El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and their interactions with local weather conditions, taking into account the heterogeneous and cumulative effects of weather patterns on economic growth and the asymmetry and nonlinearity in the global influence of ENSO on economic activity. Using data on 75 countries over the period 1975-2014, we provide evidence for the negative growth effects of ENSO events and show that there are substantial differences between its warm (El Nino) and cold (La Nina) phases and between climate zones. These differences are due to the heterogeneity in weather responses to ENSO events, known as teleconnections, which has so far not been taken into account by economists, and which will become more important in the climate-economy relationship given that climate change may substantially strengthen long-distance relationships between weather patterns around the world. We also show that the negative growth effects associated with these teleconnections are robust to the definition of ENSO events and more important over shorter meteorological onsets.

Distance matters: the impact of physical and relative distance on pleasure tourists' length of stay in Barbados

This paper argues that length of stay is a reflection of the distance between the origin and destination country. Past interpretations of distance premised on spatial aspects. This study extends the dimensional space of distance to include socio-psychological dimensions, climate distance and economic distance. Our empirical analysis utilizes airport data covering over 350,000 pleasure tourists to Barbados from 144 countries. The results suggest that the length of stay of pleasure tourists to Barbados increases with geographic distance, cultural distance and climatic distance, but is inversely related to economic distance. We find no evidence that long-distance relationships (captured by transnational and diasporic relationships) affect tourist length of stay. Implications of these findings are provided.

Beyond the Screen

Long-distance romantic relationships have become prevalent in today's globalized world. Although mainstream communication technologies have provided instant, cheap, and convenient channels for people to communicate at a distance, the emphasis of these technologies is placed on functionality as they are designed for a large variety of end users, rather than providing emotional communication which the author argues is meaningful and necessary for the individuals to maintain ties to their romantic partners who are forced to live physically apart for some reason. The author envisions that there is a gap between understanding the users' needs in research and designing technologies for them in practice. The author's PhD research has been dedicated to bridging this gap by mediating emotional communication for serious long-distance romantic relationships through unconventional artefacts. This manuscript presents an overview of the work thus far.

Maintenance Strategies and Long-Distance Relationships: An Adaption of Theories from Interpersonal Relationship Research to Marketing

Following the idea of the life event cycle, relationships between organizations and customers are characterized by recurring gaps in interaction. This article provides an overview of theories on maintenance strategies, particularly in the context of long-distance relationships in social sciences, and transfers existing theories to relationship marketing. A relationship maintenance management model is proposed that can serve as a framework for future research and management approaches. Many unanswered questions demonstrate the great potential and need for studies on this topic.

Pengaruh Jarak terhadap Efektivitas Komunikasi Antarpribadi (Studi Pada Mahasiswa Komunikasi Penyiaran Islam FDIK UIN IB

Relationships between children and parents are so familiar or often communicate face to face because they live in one house. When far away the closeness of parents and children is still maintained as if they lived in one house or not. Basically, parents and children must want to communicate even if they are just asking to let go of homesickness. The purpose of this study is to find out and explain the effect of openness on long distance relationships, to determine the effect of empathy for long distance relationships, and to determine the effect of support for long distance relationships. This study uses quantitative research methods. Data collection techniques used were questionnaires. The questionnaire used has passed the validity test. Questionnaires were distributed to 42 respondents selected from 168 populations using random sampling techniques. The data obtained is processed using the SPSS data processing program. The results obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques. The results that can be taken from this study are: (1) aspects of self-openness to long distance relationships are normal that self-disclosure does not have a significant relationship to long-distance relationships. (2) the aspect of empathy for long distance relationships is normal but the results of empathy are not related to long distance relationships. (3) aspects of support for long distance relationships are normal and support does not affect long distance relationships.

Pemanfaatan Media Ssosial oleh Tenaga Kerja Indonesia dalam Proses Pendidikan Anak Menggunakan Metode Belajar Long Distance Relationship

At present, social media is more widely used by migrant workers and TKI children just for the daily communication. The function of the social media is done in trivialities because both parties operationally can maximazie the media more specifically especially to improve the process of education and learning between parents to their children. This study draws problem of how social media can be used by TKI in educating children, through the LDR (Long Distance Relationship) method. This study used qualitative descriptive approach to analyze the data. The research subjects who acted as respondents were migrant workers and former migrant workers from Lampung Province. The results show that learning models using the LDR Method could be applied by Indonesian migrant workers to children who live in their hometowns. Themes of communication using LDR should be focused on education aspects emphasizing on motivation, achievement, frame of future life, and daily activities for schools.

Unexpected Gender Moderation of Marital Satisfaction–Health Associations in Long-Distance Relationships

High marital satisfaction is associated with better individual health and health behavior. Gender moderates these associations; generally, they are stronger for women than for men. Theories such as subordination-reactivity attempt to explain marital satisfaction–health associations by gender. Extant research exploring this phenomenon focuses on individuals in proximal relationships, not those in long-distance relationships (LDR). LDR are prevalent, particularly among students, military personnel, and caregivers. They are also increasing both in number and cultural relevance. Current study participants ( N = 93) were ages 21+, married for 6+ months, and LDR, defined as living more than 50 miles apart and not able to see each other daily. Participants completed an online survey of relationship and health measures. We tested gender as a moderator of marital satisfaction–health associations. Unexpectedly, higher marital satisfaction related to better health for men more than for women on several health variables. Specifically, higher marital satisfaction related to significantly less drug use and less pain interference, and marginally better overall health, for men more than for women. No other marital satisfaction–health associations emerged. These results suggest marital satisfaction may be more important to health for LDR men than women, and in some cases, marital satisfaction may not relate to health for LDR individuals. Future research can explore these unique satisfaction–health associations in LDR. Therapeutic interventions for individuals and couples in LDR can consider these findings.

PRIVILEGED MOBILITY AND UN‑MEDIATED CHOICE? THE CASE OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN TRANSNATIONAL LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS

In postmodern times of emphasized fluidification, individualism and cosmopolitanism, mobility becomes self-evident and naturalized, yet socially desirable and anticipated. Therefore it is valuable to use ethnography to look at individual experiences. They are young, educated, and mobile, pursuing their dreams and goals while living in big cities: Poles and other (not only) European citizens who maintain transnational long-distance relationships create perfectly suitable representatives of the category of ‘privileged mobility’. This article is based on ethnographic fieldwork I conducted in 2016–2018, and it employs an auto-ethnographic perspective in order to examine the notion of privilege (Amit 2007), with its borders and limitations, through the analytical lens of mobility. The article puts forward the perspective of my research participants and thus provides a detailed portrait of the researched group, in order to show how mobility is rooted in their everyday lives and how privileged they really are. I argue that mobility, defined as one of the most stratifying factors (Bourdieu 1984), can be applied as a mirror that reflects position in the social strata. In this specific ethnographic context, spatial mobility can be seen as a useful tool, which exposes social and individual dimensions of being privileged while living in transnational long-distance relationships

Japanese Students Abroad and the Building of America’s First Japanese Library Collection, 1869–1878


 
 
 In the fall of 1869, the first of eight students set off from the tiny Sadowara Domain in southeastern Kyushu to pursue study in America and Europe. Overshadowed by more famous peers from other domains, the Sadowara students have been all but forgotten, and their lives abroad remain an untold story. Yet they played an important role in the early development of Japanese studies in the United States. Enrolling at diverse institutions mostly in the Northeast, six of the students came to form a close relationship with Yale’s university librarian, a philologist named Addison Van Name (who served for many years as treasurer and librarian of the American Oriental Society). Inspired by his new friends to study the Japanese language, within a year Van Name was offering America’s first college course in Japanese, and he quickly began to produce scholarship on Japan and its language, literature, and history. By the mid-1870s, the Sadowara students had returned to their home country, where their subsequent careers constituted a microcosm of the paradox and transformation of the early Meiji period. Van Name maintained contact with his Japanese friends, and through this long-distance relationship succeeded in building America’s first significant Japanese library collection: a 3,000-volume collection of Edo and early Meiji titles that still survives today.
 
 

Choosing a Bank Account

This case simulates the decision of choosing a bank account through the eyes of a new couple on the verge of getting married. Bill Donlon has no prior experience in banking, choosing instead to accumulate his savings in cash. Donlon's fiancee, Melissa Ivy, had a bank account in college, but rarely used it other than to withdraw funds occasionally. After their marriage, the couple will move from Norfolk, Virginia, to Roanoke, Virginia, to start new jobs. Donlon will be working as a salesman at the local Ford dealership and Ivy will be a pharmaceutical sales rep for Actavis, Inc., working mostly from her car as she visits accounts. Both Donlon and Ivy will be paid via direct deposit by their new employers, thus necessitating a bank account. This motivates Donlon to talk with his uncle Ned about banking and sends Ivy to the internet to compare banks and account options. Excerpt UVA-F-1893 Aug. 22, 2019 Choosing a Bank Account Introduction Bill Donlon should have been in a great mood. After all, in just two weeks, he was finally going to marry his high-school sweetheart, Melissa Ivy. The pair started dating during their senior year at Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Virginia, then maintained a long-distance relationship while Ivy went off to college in Richmond. In Ivy's absence, Donlon had struggled through a series of minimum-wage and temp jobs before becoming a salesperson at his cousin's store, Mattress Outlet. Donlon's success at sales allowed him to wine and dine Ivy during the summers when she was home, keeping their relationship alive. Now they could finally be together for good. Donlon had squirreled away his biweekly cash payments from working at Mattress Outlet, parking a growing pile of cash literally under his mattress. Donlon had never bothered to get a bank account since his cousin paid him in cash. He liked to keep his earnings in his possession—he'd started distrusting the banking system after the 2008 financial crisis. But all that was going to have to change. After the wedding, Donlon and Ivy were moving to Roanoke, Virginia, so that Ivy could start a job in pharmaceutical sales with Actavis, Inc. Donlon was going to work at the local Ford dealership, putting his selling skills to work peddling cars. Both jobs paid their employees through direct deposit. Donlon wondered how that would work, because everything about banking intimidated him. . . .

The Growth Effects of El Niño and La Niña: Local Weather Conditions Matter

This paper contributes to the climate-economy literature by analysing the role of weather patterns in influencing the transmission of global climate cycles to economic growth. More specifically, we focus on El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and their interactions with local weather conditions, taking into account the heterogeneous and cumulative effects of weather patterns on economic growth and the asymmetry and nonlinearity in the global influence of ENSO on economic activity. Using data on 75 countries over the period 1975-2014, we provide evidence for the negative growth effects of ENSO events and show that there are substantial differences between its warm (El Nino) and cold (La Nina) phases and between climate zones. These differences are due to the heterogeneity in weather responses to ENSO events, known as teleconnections, which has so far not been taken into account by economists, and which will become more important in the climate-economy relationship given that climate change may substantially strengthen long-distance relationships between weather patterns around the world. We also show that the negative growth effects associated with these teleconnections are robust to the definition of ENSO events and more important over shorter meteorological onsets.

Maintaining long-distance relationships: comparison to geographically close relationships

As more and more people are in long-distance relationships (LDRs), a growing body of literature has emerged investigating how these individuals maintain their relationships in the face of geographical separation. We extended this literature by comparing North American individuals in LDRs (n = 232) and in geographically close relationships (n = 236) in terms of eight relationship maintenance behaviors and nine sexual maintenance behaviors (all positive behaviors). A multivariate analysis of variance showed that individuals in LDRs reported more frequent behaviors to maintain a connection while separated, online sexual activity together, and sexual activity when together as well as less frequent sexual fantasizing about non-partners. Although we found gender differences in the maintenance behaviors consistent with traditional gender roles, these differences were not moderated by relationship type. These results suggest that an increase in introspective behaviors may be important to maintaining LDRs both romantically and sexually, but that sexual frequency is also important for maintaining LDRs and may not be easily replaced by online sexual activities.

First technological and provenance analysis on obsidian artifacts from Tafí Valley (Tucumán Province, Argentine Republic)

The aim of this paper is to report the first analyses carried out on obsidian artifacts recovered from two archaeological sites of the Tafí valley (Tucumán, Argentina), dating to the first and second millennium C.E. The study addresses the sourcing and use of this raw material in their contexts, as well as the inclusion of the study area within the obsidian distribution circuits in the Northwest of Argentina. The methodology included techno-morphological and morphological-functional analyses as well as chemical provenance studies (XRF). The results enabled us to detect, so far, the use of the Ona-Las Cuevas source, located approximately 240 km far from the sites, and to suggest the implementation of indirect procurement practices within complex distribution circuits. We have also established that the obsidian artifacts would have been used intensively in daily activities which were part of household organization, such as long-distance relationships, hunting and processing food. Based on this information, we discuss the practical uses of obsidian, as well as other possible roles of this raw material in pre-Hispanic contexts which contribute to broaden knowledge about the cultural developments of Tafí valley.

A Game Theoretic Model for the Formation of Navigable Small-World Networks—The Tradeoff between Distance and Reciprocity

Kleinberg proposed a family of small-world networks to explain the navigability of large-scale real-world social networks. However, the underlying mechanism that drives real networks to be navigable is not yet well understood. In this article, we present a game theoretic model for the formation of navigable small-world networks. We model the network formation as a game called the Distance-Reciprocity Balanced (DRB) game in which people seek for both high reciprocity and long-distance relationships. We show that the game has only two Nash equilibria: One is the navigable small-world network, and the other is the random network in which each node connects with each other node with equal probability, and any other network state can reach the navigable small world via a sequence of best-response moves of nodes. We further show that the navigable small-world equilibrium is very stable—(a) no collusion of any size would benefit from deviating from it; and (b) after an arbitrary deviations of a large random set of nodes, the network would return to the navigable small world as soon as every node takes one best-response step. In contrast, for the random network, a small group collusion or random perturbations is guaranteed to bring the network out of the random-network equilibrium and move to the navigable network as soon as every node takes one best-response step. Moreover, we show that navigable small-world equilibrium has much better social welfare than the random network, and we provide the price-of-anarchy and price-of-stability results of the game. Our empirical evaluation further demonstrates that the system always converges to the navigable network even when limited or no information about other players’ strategies is available, and the DRB game simulated on real-world networks leads to navigability characteristic that is very close to that of the real networks, even though the real-world networks have non-uniform population distributions different from Kleinberg’s small-world model. Our theoretical and empirical analyses provide important new insight on the connection between distance, reciprocity, and navigability in social networks.

Cultural and Transnational Influences on the Use of Information Communication Technologies in Adult Long-Distance Family Relationships: An Extension of Media Multiplexity Theory

ABSTRACTGeographically dispersed family members utilize frequent and diverse modes of communication to maintain their relationships. In transnational families separated by national boarders, family members may face constraints on channel selection due to cultural and/or structural factors. We draw from media multiplexity theory (MMT) and the cultural dimensions model to examine how transnationalism, societal individualism-collectivism (I-C), family allocentrism, and relational closeness influence the use of information communication technologies (ICTs) to maintain long-distance family relationships (LDFRs). Whereas results of the analysis provide cross-cultural support for MMT’s predictions regarding closeness and ICT frequency, the analysis reveals little support for MMT’s predictions regarding closeness and ICT variety. This study extends MMT by including culture in the study of relational closeness and ICT use, highlights the importance of family allocentrism when applying MMT to LDFRs, and demonstrates how transnational families can have frequent communication to maintain close, long-distance ties despite limited channel variety. Keywords: Culture, Immigrants, Information Communication Technologies, Long Distance Families, Relational ClosenessThis work was supported by the Humanities Center Faculty Fellowship program at Wayne State University.

Going the Distance: Understanding the Process of Maintaining a Long-Distance Relationship in Graduate School

Graduate studies can be one of the most stressful periods of an individual’s life, and the added stressor of being at a distance from a significant other (SO) can complicate this issue. The partner is an important source of support and understanding during this process, and they can help alleviate stressors during this transition. Graduate students are typically not the focus of the research, and neither are the positive aspects of engaging in an long-distance relationship (LDR). Thus, this study addresses: What has been the process of maintaining an LDR while entering graduate studies? Participants were selected based on heterogenous and opportunistic sampling, and included four heterosexual, female graduate students whom were engaged in an LDR. Semi-structured interviews were utilized in conjunction with an grounded theory approach to better understand the subjective experiences of initiating, transitioning into, and maintaining an LDR while one partner undertook graduate studies.
 Keywords: graduate studies, grounded theory, long-distance relationship, mental health, stress

User Evaluation of the Neurodildo: A Mind-Controlled Sex Toy for People with Disabilities and an Exploration of Its Applications to Sex Robots

In this paper, we present the Neurodildo, a sex toy remotely controlled by brain waves, which is pressure sensitive and has electrical stimulation (e-stim) feedback. The Neurodildo was originally presented as a conference paper at the 3rd International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots (2017). We designed and explored the application of a mind-controlled sex toy for the people with mobility disabilities, for example with spinal cord injury (SCI), who have difficulty handling a commercial toy and that might experience difficulties in a sexual encounter. The system consists of the sex toy with Bluetooth and sensors, the brain-computer interface (BCI) headset, the e-stim device, and a computer for running the necessary software. The first user wears the headset and the e-stim device, and by focusing in trained patterns, he/she can control the vibration of the sex toy. The pressure applied to the sex toy by the second user is measured by sensors and transmitted and converted to the first user, who feels muscle contractions. We discuss the design process, the limitations of the prototype and how evaluating the user requirements is necessary for a better product. We also included a background and discussion on the application of sex robots for assisting disabled people and how the Neurodildo could be integrated with this futuristic technology. The goal of this project is to design a sex toy that might help people with disabilities and people in long-distance relationships (LDR), trying to fill the gap of sex toys designed for people with disabilities.

Grandparenting from a distance: experiences of nursing home residents

ABSTRACTWhen elderly relocate to nursing homes, the relationship with grandchildren changes significantly. The purpose of this study was to explore these changes as well as grandparent role satisfaction after relocation. For purposes of studying these research questions, eight nursing home dwelling grandparents participated in semi-structured interviews. The results of the study provided an enhanced understanding of the factors related to long-distance relationships of residential care facility-dwelling grandparents and grandchildren, such as the evolution of the relationships, level of grandparent role satisfaction, and coping mechanisms related to the challenges of maintaining these long-distance relationships.

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

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.

The Phenomenon Of Marriage Couples With Long-Distance Relationship

The study has a purpose of elaborating the motives of living in a long-distance relationship, how is the interpersonal communication and communication experience of a long-distance marriage partner if one of them stay in Bandung. The research method uses constructivist paradigm with phenomenology tradition. Data is obtained through in-depth interviews with six informants who undergo long-distance relationship with their respective spouses. The result of this study finds that the motive of getting married in long-distance couples is the motive of cause (because of motive): feeling that they match for each other, the compatibility in communicating and having the same mission/vision in life. While the purpose motive (in order to motive): gaining support and building a sakinah family. Interpersonal communication in long-distance couples is a commitment built on trust and supporting each other's activities. Happiness is believed to be the power of commitment to marital relationships. The communication experience of long-distance marriage partners is to maintain quality of communication, such as expression of longing, asking news, encouraging, supporting, and also praying for mutual success. This is done by utilizing various media that the informants have.