Distance regulation in partnerships
Cooperation with Humboldt University Berlin
(funded by the German Research Foundation)
Franz J. Neyer & Birk Hagemeyer (Potsdam University)
Jens B. Asendorpf & Wiebke Neberich (Humboldt-University Berlin)
Nonconventional forms of partnership are increasing in Germany and many other
Western countries, particularly diverse forms of "living apart together" (LAT) where
the two partners of a couple live in separate households. In young adulthood,
LAT is frequently an (often education- or job-related) pre-stage of living together
in the same household. Later in adulthood, LAT is increasingly established as a
form of living of its own right, without the intention to move into the same
household in the future. Consequently, partnership becomes even more
individualized, not only with regard to physical distance but also with regard to
interaction and communication: couples show characteristicforms of distance
regulation.
The aim of this project funded by the German Research Foundation is to
(a) describe different forms of distance regulation, (b) develop instruments for
assessing distance regulation, (c) identify personality and relationship influences
on distance regulation, and (d) study consequences of distance regulation,
particularly concerning sexuality and attachment. The key leading hypothesis is
that physical and psychological distance advance and help to maintain sexual desire
but hinder the development of secure attachment.
The assessment methods are developed through internet-based studies
of couples (particularly diaries). In the main study, couples from a large city
(Berlin) and mainly catholic counties in Northern Germany are assessed.
By comparing these two subcultures within Germany, cultural influences on
distance regulation can be identified