Classic long-distance relationships and their advantages

Diverse research has been done over time on this particular type of relationship and its aspects, quality and longevity. Nowadays, communicating and staying in touch is greatly facilitated by technical aids. For example, a video call can replace a telephone call and thus create more closeness. Behind this is the following: Feelings of closeness and security strengthen the relationship, even if the partners are miles apart.

However, some long-distance relationships withstand the distance better than others. What is the secret of a successful long-distance relationship? There are some interesting research findings on this:
Gretchen Kelmer, psychologist and author, compared relationship quality, partner commitment, and couple stability. The comparison groups were, on the one hand, couples who lived close to each other and, on the other hand, couples who were in a long-distance relationship. It concluded that people who were in a long-distance relationship rated the quality of the relationship higher and were more engaged in different areas. They also felt less constrained than partners who were in a geographically close relationship.

Characteristics that influence the quality of the long-distance relationship are: Love, enjoyment with partner, and quality of conversation. Among other things, it turned out that partnerships at a distance so-called long-distance partners communicated more positively than couples who were not in a long-distance relationship. One reason for this could be that higher demands are placed on a long-distance relationship. Thus, the relationship partner who lives at a distance may be closer to one’s own expectations because the demands are higher from the beginning. According to Kelmer, long-distance relationships can increase optimism in the relationship. The research showed that long-distance partners were more likely to assume they would marry their partner at the beginning of the study and saw a breakup as less likely in the next year. But the likelihood that the partners would break up was the same regardless of the distance of the couples. This optimistic attitude at the outset probably stems from the fact that a sense of stability and anticipation of a future together influence individuals’ willingness to marry.

Kaitlyn Goldsmith and E. Sandra Byers, both psychologists, found in 2018 that couples in a long-distance relationship were more likely to behave introspectively than other couples. In addition, they found that certain behaviors have a positive effect on a long-term relationship, such as pursuing hobbies, cultivating friendships, and maintaining one’s career. One should not only take care of the relationship, but also of oneself. Long-distance partners have the opportunity to do this more often than couples who maintain partnerships in physical proximity.

Presumably, people who enter into long-distance relationships generally have different expectations than those who want their partners close by. For example, long-distance partners may need or want less romantic contact and see more advantages in being more independent and having more time for themselves and their own interests.

Conclusion:

All of these findings point to the fact that long-distance relationships can thrive and work if you have a positive attitude and the right partner. If a partner can meet and overcome the challenges of a long-distance relationship on an emotional level as well, then it is more likely that the relationship will remain successful. So it can be helpful to discuss the partners’ expectations of their own relationship together, always enjoy the time together. In the time when the partner is away, you create the space for self-care, so you can look forward to the time together all the more intensively.