"It's About the Best That We Can Get:" The Technologically-Mediated Maintenance of Women's Long-Distance Friendships

Jessica Thern Smith, University of Tennessee

Abstract

This study was designed to uncover how women maintain their long-distance friendships using technologically-mediated channels. Thirty-four qualitative interviews were conducted with women in a university setting: first-year undergraduate students, first-year graduate students, and recently-hired faculty members. Data analysis resulted in uncovering how women adapt maintenance behaviors (positivity, assurances, openness, social networks) to mediated channels (Facebook, cellular phones, e-mail). Participants indicate LDFs may be challenging, but the necessary effort and lack of co-presence does not deter them from devoting themselves to the continuous maintenance work.

Journal Title

Iowa Journal of Communication

Volume

Issue

First Page

170

Last Page

196

Language

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Thern Smith, Jessica (2011) ""It's About the Best That We Can Get:" The Technologically-Mediated Maintenance of Women's Long-Distance Friendships," Iowa Journal of Communication: Vol. 43: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/ijc/vol43/iss2/6

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