Explain the factors that determine the impact of physical separation and distance on

interpersonal relationships.

What will be an ideal response?

* The first factor is the 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, like deciding to move to a new area after graduation, is by choice
and may raise questions about relational commitment.
* Time of separation is also a significant factor . 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 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 probably the most important factor in sustaining strong longdistance relationships. You can make long-distance relationships similar to proximal
relationships with open and honest communication.