Abstract

Romantic relationships have a multitude of influential factors that may help or hinder the relationship. With the major surge of social media use over the last 20 years, romantic relationships could be affected by this, both positively and negatively. This study aimed to investigate how the attachment styles of coupled young adults may affect social media behaviors, and in turn, how these behaviors affect couple satisfaction. Participants (N = 158) completed an online questionnaire that assessed attachment style, digital jealousy, interpersonal electronic surveillance, and couple satisfaction. Findings showed secure individuals exhibited the lowest levels of digital jealousy and interpersonal electronic surveillance, and the highest couple satisfaction. Avoidant individuals showed the highest levels of digital jealousy, intermediate levels of interpersonal electronic surveillance, and the lowest couple satisfaction. Finally, ambivalent individuals displayed the highest levels of digital jealousy, intermediate levels of interpersonal electronic surveillance, and intermediate levels of couple satisfaction. This study demonstrates that attachment styles can influence social media behaviors, which can subsequently affect couple satisfaction. This is highly consequential, as social media use is ingrained in younger generations and may negatively affect their romantic relationships.

Keywords: Adult Attachment, Romantic Relationships, Social Media Use, Couple Satisfaction

Advisor

Casey, Michael

Department

Psychology

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Adult Attachment, Romantic Relationships, Social Media Use, Couple Satisfaction

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2026 Jeanne-Nicole T. de Montrichard