The Influence of Social Media Use and Type of Content on Relational Satisfaction

Eligibility Screening
Please answer the following questions to determine your eligibility for this research study.
Are you currently between the ages of 18 and 28? (This typically includes individuals born between 1998 and 2007. If you were born in 2007, you must already be 18 years old to qualify.)*

YesNo
What is your age*
Are you currently in a romantic relationship?*

YesNo
Do you currently have an active Instagram account?*

YesNo

Thank you for completing the eligibility screening!

Based on the responses, you are not eligible to participate.

Thank you for your time and interest.

Thank you for completing the eligibility screening!

Based on your responses, you are eligible to participate in this research study.

Click next to begin.

Please make sure to complete all sections carefully. At the end, you will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win an Amazon gift card.

We appreciate your time and contribution to this research!

The Influence of Social Media Use and Type of Content on Relational Satisfaction
Informed Consent

Investigator(s): Natalie Dungey

Study Title: The Influence of Social Media Use and Type of Content on Relational Satisfaction

I am a student at The Chicago School. This study is being conducted as a part of my dissertation requirement for PsyD Marriage and Family Therapy.

I am asking you to participate in a research study about how social media usage, particularly the type of content viewed, influences romantic relationship satisfaction among Generation Z individuals. You will be asked to complete an online survey about your relationship satisfaction, attachment style, emotional engagement, and social media use patterns, and upload screenshots of your Instagram Explore Page and weekly screen time report using the Screen Time feature on your smartphone device (iPhone or Android).This will take approximately 30 minutes to complete the survey. This may cause loss of confidentiality, emotional distress or upset, and reading materials or questions that may be regarded as sensitive or invasive. Although you may not benefit, it will help to understand how social media impacts relationship satisfaction and emotional connection in young adults and contribute to improving digital wellness strategies and therapeutic practices.

Please take your time to read the entire document and feel free to ask any questions before agreeing to participate.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to explore both statistical patterns and lived experiences related to social media use and relational outcomes, and to better understand how different types of social media content exposure may affect trust, emotional connection, and relationship satisfaction.

Procedures:
If you agree to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete an online survey via JotForm that includes questions about your relationship satisfaction, demographics, attachment style, emotional engagement, and social media use patterns. You will also be asked to upload screenshots of your Instagram Explore Page and weekly screen time report using the Screen Time feature on your smartphone device within the JotForm survey. A debriefing page will appear discussing the purpose of the study in further detail and listing mental health resources. At the end of the survey, you will be able to enter your email address to enter the raffle for the Amazon gift card.
Please note that this study can only be conducted once. Participation in the survey will take approximately 30 minutes.
Compensation:
Those who complete the survey may voluntarily enter themselves into a raffle to win a $50 Amazon gift card by submitting their email address at the end of the survey. One winner will be chosen and will be emailed their compensation.
Risks to Participants:
The risks to this study are reading materials or questions that may be regarded as sensitive or invasive, loss of confidentiality and emotional distress or upset. Loss of confidentiality will be minimized by securely storing the data in encrypted, password-protected files on my computer. Some survey questions may ask about emotional connection, relationship satisfaction, or patterns of social media use, which could feel personal or triggering. Emotional distress or upset will be minimized by you being able to skip any questions that you do not wish to answer or withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.

If you experience the need for mental health resources, please refer to the list below:

Hillside Counseling Center (Torrance, CA)
Address: 3868 W Carson St, Suite #311, Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: (310) 920-0525
Email: prayas@hillsidecounseling.org
Website: https://www.hillsidecounseling.org

2. The Maple Counseling Center (Los Angeles, CA)
Address: 1945 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: (310) 271-9999
Email: info@tmcc.org
Website: https://www.maple4counseling.org/

3. Open Paths Counseling Center (Inglewood, CA)
Address: 301 N. Prairie Ave, Suite 510, Inglewood, CA 90301
Phone: (310) 258-9677
Email: inquiry@openpaths.org
Website: https://openpaths.org

Benefits to Participants:
You will not benefit from this study. However, we hope that the knowledge gained from this study may benefit society in our understanding of how social media use impacts relationship satisfaction and may help inform digital wellness strategies for young couples and social media users.

Alternatives to Participation:
Participation in this study is voluntary. You may withdraw from study participation at any time without any penalty.

Confidentiality:
During this study, information will be collected about you for the purpose of this research. This includes your name, email address, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, relationship status (e.g., dating, cohabiting, married), length of current romantic relationship, frequency of in-person interaction with partner, primary social media platforms used, and average daily time spent on social media.

Email addresses will be collected if you enter the raffle. If you win the raffle, you will be emailed the compensation. Directly identifying information will be stored separately from the data. All data will be securely stored in encrypted, password-protected files on my computer and kept for a minimum of five years after publication per American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines. IP addresses will not be stored through JotForm settings to protect your privacy. My Dissertation Chair and I will have access to the data. All data will be deleted from JotForm immediately after it is transferred out.

It is possible that your data may be used for future research or distributed to another researcher without your consent. However, information that could identify you will be removed.

Your research records may be reviewed by federal agencies whose responsibility is to protect human subjects participating in research, including the Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) and by representatives from The Chicago School Institutional Review Board, a committee that oversees research.

Questions/Concerns:
If you have questions related to the procedures described in this document please contact:
Natalie Dungey (Principal Investigator)
Email: ndungey@ego.thechicagoschool.edu

Dr. Christine Nazarian (Dissertation Chair)
Email: cnazarian1@thechicagoschool.edu

If you have questions concerning your rights in this research study you may contact the Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is concerned with the protection of subjects in research projects. You may reach the IRB office Monday-Friday by calling 312.467.2335 or writing: Institutional Review Board, The Chicago School, 325 N. Wells, Chicago, Illinois, 60654.

Consent to Participate in Research:

Participant: I have read the above information and have received satisfactory answers to my questions. I understand the research project and the procedures involved. I agree to participate in this study. My participation is voluntary, and I do not have to agree to this form if I do not want to be part of this research project. I may print out a copy of this consent form for my records.

Clicking below confirms my decision to participate in this study:

___ Yes

___ No
Clicking yes below indicates that I have read the description of the study and I agree to participate in the study:*

YesNo

Age*
Gender Identity*
Sexual Orientation*
Race/Ethnicity *
Relationship Status*
Length of Current Romantic Relationship*
Frequency of in-person interactions with partner *
Primary social media platforms used *
Average daily time spent on social media (estimated) *

Please Upload
Please Upload a Screenshot of your Instagram & Phone Screen Time* *

*Found either in the instagram app settings and settings app on your phone.
Cancelof
Please Upload 3 Screenshots of your Instagram Explore Page* Screenshot, refresh the page, screenshot again 2x and upload here. *

*Found in the Instagram app under the compass or magnifying glass icon both pictured below.
Cancelof

1. Please indicate the degree of happiness, all things considered, of your relationship.*
2. I have a warm and comfortable relationship with my partner.*
3. How rewarding is your relationship with your partner?*
4. In general, how often do you think that things between you and your partner are going well?*
5. I still feel a strong connection with my partner.*
6. How much do you and your partner agree on making major decisions?*
7. How much do you and your partner agree on the amount of time spent together?*
8. How much do you and your partner agree on demonstrations of affection?*
9. How often do you wish you hadn’t gotten into this relationship?*
10. If you had your life to live over, would you still choose the same partner?*
11. Our relationship is strong.*
12. I sometimes wonder if there is someone else out there for me. *
13. My relationship with my partner makes me happy.*
14. I can’t imagine ending my relationship with my partner.*
15. I feel that I can confide in my partner about virtually anything.*
16. I have had second thoughts about this relationship recently*
17. My partner is the perfect romantic partner for me.*
18. I really feel like part of a team with my partner.*
19. I cannot imagine another person making me as happy as my partner does.*
20. How well does your partner meet your needs?*
21. To what extent has your relationship met your original expectations?*
22. In general, how satisfied are you with your relationship?*
23. How would you rate your relationship compared to most?*
24. How often do you and your partner have fun together?*
25. How often do you enjoy your partner’s company?*
26. How would you describe your relationship on a scale from Interesting - Boring?*
27. How would you describe your relationship on a scale from Bad – Good*
28. How would you describe your relationship on a scale from Full - Empty*
29. How would you describe your relationship on a scale from Lonely – Friendly*
30. How would you describe your relationship on a scale from Sturdy – Fragile*
31. How would you describe your relationship on a scale from Discouraging – Hopeful*
32. How would you describe your relationship on a scale from Enjoyable – Miserable*

1. It helps to turn to my romantic partner in times of need.*
2. I need a lot of reassurance that I am loved by my partner.*
3. I want to get close to my partner, but I keep pulling back.*
4. I find that my partner(s) don't want to get as close as I would like.*
5. I turn to my partner for many things, including comfort and reassurance.*
6. My desire to be very close sometimes scares people away.*
7. I try to avoid getting too close to my partner.*
8. I do not often worry about being abandoned.*
9. I usually discuss my problems and concerns with my partner.*
10. I get frustrated if romantic partners are not available when I need them.*
11. I am nervous when partners get too close to me.*

1. I am rarely available to my partner. *
2. It is hard for my partner to get my attention. *
3. I listen when my partner shares her/his deepest feelings.*
4. I am confident I reach out to my partner.*
5. It is hard for me to confide in my partner. *
6. I struggle to feel close and engaged in our relationship. *
7. My partner is rarely available to me. *
8. It is hard for me to get my partner’s attention. *
9. My partner listens when I share my deepest feelings.*
10. I am confident my partner reaches out to me.*
11. It is hard for my partner to confide in me. *
12. My partner struggles to feel close and engaged in our relationship.*
Thank you for completing the survey!

To maintain anonymity, your responses have not been linked to any identifying information.

If you would like to:

✅ Enter the raffle for a chance to win a $50 gift card
✅ Volunteer for a follow-up interview about your experiences

Please click the link below to access a separate form. Your contact information will not be linked to your survey answers in any way.

👉 VOLUNTEER FORM
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