Abstract
This article examines how compulsive Internet use and marital well-being are related to each other. We suggest that they are negatively related and explore whether compulsive Internet use predicts marital well-being or vice versa. The relation between compulsive Internet use and marital well-being is tested in a two-wave prospective study among 190 newlywed couples. The results suggest that (a) compulsive Internet use predicts marital well-being, and not vice versa, (b) that this is a within- rather than a cross-partner effect, and (c) that the frequency of Internet use may be positively related to marital well-being. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms that underlie the link between compulsive Internet use and relationship quality.
Translated title of the contribution | Relational Consequences of Compulsive Internet Use: A Longitudinal Study Among Newlyweds |
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Original language | French |
Pages (from-to) | 147-173 |
Number of pages | 27 |
Journal | Human Communication Research |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |