Beware of Twitter
If you want to live happily ever after, then beware of Twitter. If you spend too much time tweeting, then it could have a negative effect on your marriage -- even in stable, long-term relationships, reports HealthDay News of a study that has been published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking. And that friction can be so intense it leads to cheating and breakups. Why? Time spent online is time spent away from your partner and family responsibilities. The study: Led by Dr. Scott Krakower, assistant unit chief of psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York, the team created a 20-question survey about Twitter's effect on romantic relationships and tweeted it to 3.4 million Twitter users. They ended up with 581 completed questionnaires. The survey included questions about the amount of Twitter use and whether or not it had caused a conflict in their relationship.
The survey participants used Twitter, on average, about 52 minutes a day, five days a week.
Those who used Twitter a lot reported that the time they spent online created high amounts of conflict, and that, in turn, led to cheating or the failure of the relationship.
The conflict occurred no matter how long the couple had been in the relationship.
The takeaway: Twitter overuse can cause someone to neglect his or her partner. "People become too engulfed in what they're doing, and that takes away from their other activities," Krakower told HealthDay News. In addition, when people read public tweets to keep tabs on their partner's activities, it can create friction. "You're able to see everything they're doing," Krakower said. "Maybe you will jump to conclusions too quickly before knowing all the information and that increases jealousy." What can couples do? In addition to sharing a Twitter account, which has been shown to reduce conflict over use, set a personal time limit for using Twitter and involve your partner in this decision.
The results:
The survey participants used Twitter, on average, about 52 minutes a day, five days a week.
Those who used Twitter a lot reported that the time they spent online created high amounts of conflict, and that, in turn, led to cheating or the failure of the relationship.
The conflict occurred no matter how long the couple had been in the relationship.
The takeaway: Twitter overuse can cause someone to neglect his or her partner. "People become too engulfed in what they're doing, and that takes away from their other activities," Krakower told HealthDay News. In addition, when people read public tweets to keep tabs on their partner's activities, it can create friction. "You're able to see everything they're doing," Krakower said. "Maybe you will jump to conclusions too quickly before knowing all the information and that increases jealousy." What can couples do? In addition to sharing a Twitter account, which has been shown to reduce conflict over use, set a personal time limit for using Twitter and involve your partner in this decision.
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