Date of Conferral

4-30-2025

Date of Award

April 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Michael Langlais

Abstract

Location-tracking applications promise increased connection, safety, and closeness among romantic partners. However, persistent monitoring in romantic relationships has been associated with heightened feelings of intrusion and mistrust, particularly among individuals with insecure attachment. Such surveillance can exacerbate rejection sensitivity, leading to jealousy, conflict, and deteriorating relationship quality, or monitoring may alleviate fears of rejection and enhance relationship satisfaction. From the lens of attachment theory, this quantitative research study examined whether rejection sensitivity moderates the relationship between the use of location-tracking applications and relationship quality among emerging adults. I collected information from an online survey using four instruments to collect data from 78 emerging adults aged 18 to 25, who lived in Florida and had experienced an intimate relationship within the last six months. Using linear regression in SPSS, the analysis revealed that anxiety about relationship quality significantly hinders satisfaction, while location-tracking applications have a minimal impact on relationship satisfaction. Anxiety is the strongest predictor of relationship satisfaction, highlighting its importance for mental health professionals and psychologists working with couples and individuals. This information is also helpful for parenting programs that aim to strengthen bonds and heal attachment issues.

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