Explain the factors that determine the impact of physical separation and distance on long- distance relationships (LDRs)

What will be an ideal response?

Answer:
• Nature of the separation—Some separation, such as being deployed while serving in the military, is caused by circumstance and may not raise questions about relational commitment. Other separation, deciding to move to a new area after graduation, is by choice and may raise questions about relational commitment.
• Effects of time between visits—Even temporary separations require adjustment and management by the partners. But permanent physical separation produces a new set of expectations, interactions, and relational management strategies. How often people are able to get together is another factor that is slightly different from the actual time of separation. One study suggests that people who are in long-distance romantic relationships but who are able to get together at least once a week can maintain relationships similar to those between people who are geographically close. Infrequency of face-to-face interactions might have an artificially positive effect on the partners if it causes them to work harder to be on their good behavior when they do get together. Another study reported that couples in long-distance premarital relationships had less communication but surprisingly greater satisfaction and higher expectation for the likelihood of marriage than those in geographically close relationships.
• Costs and rewards—According to social exchange theory, distance and separation adds cost to maintaining a relationship that will have to be accounted for in the cost-benefit ratio of the relationship.
• Tensions created by LDRs—Tensions may also arise when one person is trying to maintain both long-distance relationships and proximal relationships. Visits by long-distance partners can put strains on proximal partners if the two sets of friends don't get along or if they are vying for time together during visits.
Maintaining communication is the most important factor in sustaining strong long-distance relationships. You can make long-distance relationships similar to proximal relationships with open and honest communication.