VIRTUAL VS. REAL: THE CONSEQUENCES OF COMPARING SPOUSE TO ONLINE FRIENDS

Anusuah

doi:10.29121/ShodhVichar.v2.i1.2026.102

Authors

Dr. Anusuah. R Assistant Professor, Department of Visual Communication, Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/ShodhVichar.v2.i1.2026.102

Keywords:

Facebook Usage, Marital Relationship, Conflicts, Online Friendship, Online Surveillance

Abstract

The study explores the influence of Facebook on marital dynamics, focusing on online interaction, social comparison, and relational satisfaction. The study draws on Social Comparison theory and Attachment theory to examine how the curated nature of social media, especially Facebook, alters perceptions of intimacy and fosters interpersonal conflict between spouses. A qualitative methodological framework was employed, utilising purposive sampling to recruit 20 married participants (aged 25–37) from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Data were collected via a sequential process of structured questionnaires and semi-structured in-depth interviews, subsequently analysed through thematic analysis. The findings reveal that participants frequently engage in upward social comparison, evaluating their marriages against idealised representations of peers, which correlates significantly with relational discontent and jealousy, often triggered by ambiguous online interactions, and serves as a primary catalyst for Online Partner Surveillance and hyper-vigilant monitoring. The study also identifies distinct gendered patterns: male participants often frame platform restrictions as security measures. In contrast, female participants report frustration regarding their spouses' lack of relationship visibility or "single" self-presentation. These results contribute to a nuanced understanding of how sociocultural norms and digital behaviours converge to reshape contemporary marital maintenance.

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