The use of social media is not only popular among individuals to share fun-loving, intimate moments of their lives, but it’s popular among couples as well.  Are you in a relationship and frequently share couple photos and reveal intimate feelings about the love you have for each other?

New research from Dr. Gwendolyn Seidman from Albright College found that people whose confidence is more closely tied to how well their romantic relationship is going are more likely to use social media to broadcast their happiness.  The study rates these couples with higher levels of Relationship- Contingent Self-Esteem (RCSE).

Relationship-contingent self-esteem is an unhealthy form of self-esteem contingent upon how well your relationship is going.

These individuals are more likely to post affectionate content, brag about their relationship to others and monitor their partner’s social media activity.  One’s conscious or subconscious thoughts may be “if I can make others see my relationship differently, I can feel better about it as well.”  These individuals suffer even a bigger blow to their self-esteem if their relationship is having problems.

The study also reveals that couples who post frequently about affectionate details of their relationship are simply happy and want to share their happiness with others.

I recommend staying as “present” as often as you can with your partner which leads to lasting happiness.  This means you’re too focused on your partner to post that pic.

Porsha Jones, LMFT

Pjones@GROWcounseling.com