GUELPH, Ontario, Aug 7, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- College students who use
social networking sites may be exposed to information about their partners that
makes them jealous, Canadian researchers found.
Amy Muise, Emily Christofides and Serge Desmarais of the University of Guelph
surveyed young adults involved in romantic relationships and found the more time
spent on Facebook, the more likely they are to feel jealous toward their
romantic partners, leading them to do more online surveillance to uncover more
jealousy-provoking information.
The study, reported in CyberPsychology & Behavior, describes a vicious cycle in
which Facebook usage and feelings of jealousy become intertwined and have a
negative influence on behavior and relationships. Some of the study participants
in the study described their increasing use of Facebook as "addictive."
"This research on university age individuals is an excellent starting point to
begin asking additional questions on how this new forum might be impacting the
dynamics of adult relationships and other social processes," Dr. Brenda K.
Wiederhold, editor in chief of CyberPsychology & Behavior, said in a statement.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International