Social Networks and Relationship Maintenance

doi:10.1017/9781108304320.009

9 - Social Networks and Relationship Maintenance

from Part III - Processes of Relationship Maintenance

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 December 2019

Susan Sprecher,

Diane Felmlee,

Jeffrey E. Stokes and

Brandon McDaniel

Edited by

Brian G. Ogolsky and

J. Kale Monk

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Brian G. Ogolsky: Affiliation:
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
J. Kale Monk: Affiliation:
University of Missouri

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Summary

Relationships are embedded in broader social networks, including the family and friends of both partners. Covering contributions from several disciplines, this chapter discusses the role of social networks in the maintenance of intimate relationships. We first describe findings from the communication field showing how people use their social networks (such as through doing activities with mutual friends) as one of several strategies to maintain their relationships. Then, we discuss social psychological literature regarding how social networks affect both dyad members’ motivation to engage in various maintenance mechanisms that follow from their decision to commit. Furthermore, the social network can be instrumental in influencing pair members’ ability to maintain their relationship, including by giving advice to help repair relationships, which is also discussed in this chapter. We then turn to more macro-level issues regarding the compositional or structural dimensions of social networks and the ways in which they play a role in the maintenance of couples’ relationships. Variation in the processes of network influence on the maintenance of relationships is also considered, including how networks differentially influence relationship maintenance across the life course and through technology (e.g., social media).

Keywords

maintenance social networks social context family and friends social environment close relationships

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Relationship Maintenance
Theory, Process, and Context
, pp. 152 - 177
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108304320.009 [Opens in a new window]
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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