What Can Positive Conversations Do in Conflicts? A Study on Romantic Partners’ Supportive Confrontation over Instagram Dependence

Abstract: Over the course of romantic relationship development, couples inevitably encounter various social media-induced conflicts in today’s digital age. For example, couples may routinely experience disagreements on how to use social media platforms, such as one party getting distracted by constant scrolling on the phone and not being fully present when the duo is together. Whereas considerable research has examined the eroding effect of social media addictive behavior on relationship quality and stability, few studies attempt to explicate how skillfully managed conversations may buffer the negative impact of social-media-induced conflict in a couple’s relational life (e.g., jealousy, infidelity). The results of the present research convey one simple idea. That is, skillful communication shapes conflict outcomes. It becomes clear that such skills as emotional regulation and appraisal, self-talk, and appreciation-oriented inquiry expressions may work together to shape conflict resolutions, and in turn, contribute to relational satisfaction.

Keywords: supportive confrontation, romantic relation conflicts, positive conversations, social media dependency